International 17 August 2026
India Launches First-Ever Guide to Grasslands and Open Natural Ecosystems at UNCCD COP17
Why in the News?
India launched its first-ever "Guide to Grasslands and Other Open Natural Ecosystems of India" during the 17th Session of the Conference of the Parties (COP17) to the UNCCD in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.
Key Features / Major Points:
Scope and Coverage: The guide consolidates comprehensive data on India's grasslands, savannas, deserts, and other Open Natural Ecosystems (ONEs), highlighting their ecological features, biodiversity, and associated local communities.
Focus on Science-Based Conservation: Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Bhupender Yadav, emphasized the need to recognize and restore these open ecosystems using modern science alongside traditional forest conservation strategies.
Target Audience: It will serve as an essential reference document for policymakers, researchers, conservation practitioners, and development agencies working toward ecosystem restoration and climate resilience.
Static GK Facts:
Establishment of UNCCD: 1994 | Headquarters: Bonn, Germany
UNCCD COP17 Host Country: Mongolia (Capital: Ulaanbaatar)
Union Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change: Bhupender Yadav
Major Grasslands in India: Banni Grasslands (Gujarat), Bugyals (Uttarakhand), Shola Grasslands (Western Ghats)
One-Liner Quiz (All Competitive Exams):
At which event was India's first 'Guide to Grasslands and Other Open Natural Ecosystems' launched?
Answer: UNCCD COP17 (Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia)
Where is the headquarters of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) located?
Answer: Bonn, Germany