In a significant step towards the preservation of vital Savannah grasslands, the Pune Forest Department’s wildlife division has forged a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with two prominent non-governmental organizations (NGOs). The Grasslands Trust in Pune and the Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment in Bangalore have joined hands with the forest department for the regeneration of Savannah grasslands spanning Ahmednagar, Solapur, and Pune districts in Maharashtra. This collaboration is part of the department’s ambitious “Grassland Conservation Programme.”
On February 14, the Deputy Conservator of Forests (Wildlife), Tushar Chavhan, formalized the partnership, emphasizing the crucial role that grasslands play in supporting biodiversity, ecosystem services, and human well-being. Globally, these ecosystems are under severe threat due to land use diversions, degradation, and fragmentation. Despite their historical significance in sustaining iconic wildlife and livestock, grasslands often receive insufficient attention in sustainable development agendas.
The Grasslands Trust and the Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment will actively support the forest department in rejuvenating the Savannah grasslands in key locations, including the Great Indian Bustard (GIB) Sanctuary in Solapur and the Mayureshwar Wildlife Sanctuary in Pune. The collaboration aims to develop best practices, scientifically restore semi-arid Savannah grasslands, and involve local stakeholders for sustainable management.
The initial phase of the project will focus on the Pune district, serving as a model for broader implementation throughout the peninsular region. Objectives include devising science-backed methods for grassland restoration, preventing further land degradation, assessing markers of restoration success, and raising public awareness about the critical importance of these ecosystems.
This initiative aligns with the urgent call for action highlighted in the British Ecological Society’s research paper from November 2023, published in the Journal of Ecology. The paper emphasizes the rarity of mixed woodland-grassland ecosystems, underscoring the need for global protection efforts.
As Maharashtra takes proactive steps to safeguard its Savannah grasslands, the collaborative efforts between government and non-government organizations serve as a beacon for the conservation of threatened ecosystems globally.
