S3|EP25 - Reviving Grasslands: Biodiversity, Community Resilience & Grassroots Conservation in India with Aditi Patil and Manya Singh | Conservation Indica

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22d ago 34:42

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In this in-depth episode of our conservation podcast, we’re joined by Aditi Patil and Manya Singh—co-founders of Conservation Indica, a grassroots organization reshaping how we approach biodiversity conservation and protecting grasslands in India. This conversation dives into the realities of working with grassland ecosystems, the urgent need to rethink conservation science, and the challenges and triumphs of working with communities in overlooked landscapes like the Surendranagar grasslands in Gujarat.

Grasslands are often mislabeled as "wastelands" in India, yet they are teeming with biodiversity. From grassland plants and animals to the complex cultural and ecological dynamics that shape these open habitats, this episode highlights the urgent need for renewed focus on grassland conservation. Aditi and Manya walk us through the motivations behind founding Conservation Indica and how their experiences in development studies, wildlife research, and policy inspired them to prioritize biodiversity management through a more inclusive and grounded approach.

The conversation begins with a look into their personal journeys—one from botany and ecology, the other from software engineering to wildlife fieldwork—and how both paths converged into a shared commitment to change how biodiversity is studied and protected. Their story illustrates how grassroots conservation efforts are often born from a recognition that conventional conservation models have repeatedly left out the people living closest to nature.

One of the central themes in this episode is the critical importance of protecting grasslands. Grassland ecosystems are vital for climate regulation, support a wide range of grassland biodiversity, and are home to unique wildlife in grasslands—species such as Indian grey wolves, striped hyenas, foxes, jackals, and spiny-tailed lizards. Yet, these ecosystems are under severe threat due to land conversion, monoculture plantations, and poorly conceived development projects. The team at Conservation Indica works to bring visibility and action to these threats by collaborating with local pastoralist communities, particularly in the commons of Surendranagar.

We discuss how fragmented landscapes, land grabs by dominant social groups, and inadequate biodiversity conservation policies have transformed once-continuous grassland habitats into disjointed, degraded spaces. Aditi and Manya share how monoculture plantations are converting grasslands into wooded areas, disrupting the balance of grassland climate and displacing traditional grazing systems. They also talk about the importance of adapting grassland management practices to respect traditional ecological knowledge while addressing modern threats.

Their Predator-Pastoralist Conflict Project is a focal point of our discussion. The project tackles one of the most pressing issues in semi-arid ecosystems: conflict between wild carnivores and pastoral communities. With predators like leopards, wolves, and hyenas turning to livestock due to the shrinking presence of native herbivores such as the Indian gazelle, Conservation Indica’s work includes studying compensation schemes, deploying camera traps with the help of local youth, and advocating for policies that better reflect the needs and rights of these communities. By making data collection participatory, they empower local people to be agents of biodiversity management, while also contributing to more effective and humane wildlife conflict resolution.

We also dive into the ecological threats posed by invasive species—specifically how to control invasive species in grassland environments. Plants like Prosopis juliflora, Senna uniflora, Lantana camara, and congressgrass have transformed the landscape, reducing native flora, degrading soil, and harming native fauna. Understanding and addressing invasive species is not only key to restoring grassland biodiversity but also to ensuring the sustainability of pastoral livelihoods and cultural heritage.

Another key discussion revolves around the challenges faced by new NGOs, especially those led by young professionals. Aditi and Manya speak openly about fundraising struggles, the emotional labor of starting something new, and the complex task of building a team that shares their values. Despite the hurdles, their passion for biodiversity conservation and commitment to building something rooted in justice and real-world impact keeps them going.

The episode also touches on their work with the Lahaul Forest Division in Himachal Pradesh, where they contributed to an integrated conservation and development plan. Their work involved calculating tourism carrying capacity and documenting grazing pressures, grassland conditions, and the presence of invasive species—all with an eye toward long-term biodiversity conservation. Their ability to bring science, community perspectives, and management planning together is a model for future conservation policy.

One of the most compelling aspects of the conversation is how Conservation Indica seeks to redefine conservation research itself. Instead of focusing solely on charismatic species or well-funded protected areas, they advocate for attention to lesser-known yet ecologically vital systems—like dry grasslands. They stress that conservation should start with the problems of the most marginalized, and that research should be shaped by real-world needs, not just academic interests.

We wrap the episode with two powerful personal stories. Manya recounts a moment in the Banni grasslands when she helped stop a pond construction that would have destroyed a thriving population of baby spiny-tailed lizards—an experience that underscored the importance of field presence, community trust, and ecological awareness. Aditi shares an equally moving story from the Indo-Myanmar border, where amidst a landscape ravaged by trafficking and armed conflict, she encountered someone trying to rescue a pangolin. These stories bring home the emotional and ethical core of their work, showing how even in the darkest places, acts of compassion and resistance can spark hope.

Throughout the episode, several major questions emerge: How can we make conservation research more relevant and inclusive? How can biodiversity conservation efforts go beyond fortress models and center community needs? What does a truly participatory approach to grassland management practices look like? And what are the paths forward for managing grassland biodiversity in the face of invasive species, urban expansion, and climate change?

This episode is not just about science—it’s about courage, empathy, and the belief that biodiversity conservation must evolve to include the voices, struggles, and aspirations of the people most deeply connected to the land. If you care about protecting grasslands, conserving grassland plants and animals, or want to understand the layered dynamics of biodiversity in India’s neglected ecosystems, this episode is a must-listen.

Subscribe for more conversations on biodiversity, community-driven conservation, and the future of our shared environments. Thirty percent of the revenue from paid Substack and YouTube subscriptions goes directly to organizations like Conservation Indica working at the grassroots to protect India’s most vulnerable ecosystems.

Meet the Host

Anish Banerjee: https://x.com/anishwildlife

Think Wildlife Foundation: https://thinkwildlifefoundation.com/

Meet the Guests

Conservation Indica: https://conservationindica.in/

Manya Singh: https://www.linkedin.com/in/manya-singh-180990138/?originalSubdomain=in

Aditi Patil: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aditi-patil-68129825a/?originalSubdomain=in

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#Science #Environment #Anish Banerjee