Since the Stockholm Earth Summit of 1972, tree plantation has become an imperative for global and regional conservation programmes. State-sponsored plantation drives underscore the centralised focus on increasing tree cover. In India, apart from the dedicated tree-planting programmes, various government initiatives are intended to integrate plantation activities with departments other than forest. The inclusion of MGNREGA workers in tree planting is the latest addition to it.
Large scale plantation events have been organised in states like Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh combined with rising social media enthusiasm, and the aim of “record making” reflects a growing passion for such discourse. However, these quick drives to garner social media attention and to make newspaper headlines is far from beneficial for the local ecosystems.
The intricacy of tree plantation
Tree plantation is usually considered as an easier avenue to environmental degradation, bit it’s efficacy rely on heedful forethought and execution. When tree planting is done for mere administrative compliance rather than an ecological call, it can become futile. Large-scale plantation events with the orientation of setting up records often prioritise “reporting” and “media sensations” over the genuine process of plantation.
Even genuine tree planting spirited efforts can be ineffective or even harmful if they don’t adhere to best practices. Aspects such as species, nature of habitat, soil characteristics and planting density are crucial. In areas like western Rajasthan, where the arid ecosystems are already facing severe biotic and abiotic pressures, promiscuous tree plantation that disregards the dynamics of local ecology can lead to further degradation. Therefore, tree planting must be implemented with rigorous thoughtfulness to avoid disrupting local ecosystems and to foster natural restoration.
The significance of grasslands
While tree planting receives conspicuous recognition, the importance of grasslands is usually overlooked. Grasslands, which cover about 24% of India’s geographical area, are very essential, as they provide various ecosystem services such as they regulate water, provide nutrients, support biodiversity, combat soil erosion, aid groundwater recharge and do carbon sequestration.
As rangelands they ensure livelihood for pastoral communities, and maintain a delicate ecological balance and help mitigate climate change. Decrease in grasslands due to human intervention such as encroachment, land use change is a very serious issue that demands prompt action.
Familial Forestry: A grassroots level intervention for grassland restoration
Familial Forestry intervention in north-western Rajasthan is an exemplar of effective grassland restoration, which reveals that involving of local communities and integration of traditional wisdom plays a transformational role in restoring the grasslands through sustainable practices. Familial Forestry actions begin with educating the local communities about the crucial importance of grasslands in maintaining the ecological balance, which is imperative for their well being too. Such understanding fosters a deeper sensibility about the services provided by grasslands ecosystems ranging from water filtration to soil protection, livelihood, biodiversity conservation and climate resilience. Such sensibility leads towards the ownership and responsibility for the commons among local communities.
Also read: Relocating People Alone Cannot Save India’s Tigers Indefinitely
Restoring degraded grassland is vital for maintaining the ecosystem’s health and resilience. Unlike the tree plantation, which may not always align with local ecological needs, grassland restoration focuses on bringing natural habitat back into a balanced state. This approach emphasises upon the restoration of native vegetation and improvement in soil health, which enhances overall ecosystem health. Shyam Sunder Jyani’s decade-long “Familial Forestry’s Holistic Habitat Healing approach” led to grassland restoration in Bikaner region in Rajasthan. It underscores the importance of the ethnic wisdom which is called territorial understanding and natural revival processes.
By educating the communities about the critical role of grasslands and implementing restoration activities through assistive approach, Familial Forestry minimises human intervention and reinforces the natural recovery system. This approach makes sure that restoration efforts are consistent with the local ecosystems and preserve the unique characteristics of grassland ecosystems. Over two million families across 18,000 villages in Rajasthan have planted four million saplings, breathing new life into our land. This initiative was honoured with the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification’s (UNCCD’s) Land for Life Award in 2021, recognising its significant contribution to land restoration. This approach fosters a deep sense of ownership and responsibility towards the environment. Families see these trees not just as plants, but as integral members of their households, deserving of care and protection. This personal connection ensures long-term commitment and significantly enhances the survival rates of the saplings. The Familial Forestry initiative aligns closely with the principles of cooperative environmentalism, which emphasise community participation and shared responsibility in environmental stewardship.
Dabla Talab: A model of natural refuge
We have implemented the concept of Natural Refuge in Dabla Talab of Bikaner, Rajasthan. Dabla Talab, a 207-acre area once severely degraded by illegal mining, has been transformed into a thriving ecosystem through our Familial Forestry holistic habitat healing restoration drive. This area comes under commons and sacred groves, after proper fencing and restoration activities Dabla Talab has been witnessing revival of ecosystem with varieties of wildlife including the Caracal, Spiny tale lizard, chinkara, foxes, asiatic wildcats, jackals, various types of reptiles and many more. We have developed this initiative, in collaboration with the local Jasnathi community, and it exemplifies how Natural Refuge can be effectively established and managed.
The recent Global Land Report by UNCCD highlights the critical state of rangeland worldwide, emphasising that these ecosystems are under severe threat from overuse, land conversion, and climate change. The report demands immediate action to restore and manage the rangelands as they are essential for global food security, biodiversity, livelihood and climate resilience. It advocates for a shift in focus towards comprehensive land management. The report underscores the traditional wisdom with modern practices to manage rangelands effectively.
In summary, while tree planting remains a popular environmental initiative, it is crucial to recognise that it is not a one-size-fits-all solution. The restoration of degraded grasslands offers a more nuanced and potentially more beneficial approach to ecosystem conservation. By focusing on grassland restoration and incorporating local knowledge, we can address ecological degradation more effectively and ensure the long-term health of these critical ecosystems. Familial Forestry’s work demonstrates the value of integrating community involvement and natural processes into restoration efforts.
Shyam Sunder Jyani is a Sociologist at Govt. Dungar College, Bikaner and Environmentalist, a recipient of UN’s Land For Life Award Laureate for Familial Forestry. Dr. Suraj Beri is a Sociologist at Nagaland University.
