New Delhi, April 22 -- States with significant grassland ecosystems, including Karnataka, Rajasthan, Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh, have urged the Centre to amend or clarify guidelines under the Van (Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan) Adhiniyam, 1980 to formally recognise grassland restoration under compensatory afforestation.

At the 90th meeting of the Standing Committee of the National Board for Wildlife (SC-NBWL) on March 21, they stressed the need to treat grasslands as critical ecosystems for livelihoods and conservation of wildlife, including species such as the Great Indian Bustard, Lesser Florican and the Indian Rhinoceros.

"Suitable amendments/clarifications in guidelines under the Van (Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan) Adhiniyam, 1980 may be ...