Times Evoke - Importance of Grasslands and Threats faced by the Indian Grey Wolf

Published on August 29th, 2025 By Ramesh Padwal and Chaitrali Chandorkar

English text for non-marathi readers created using AI: The Forgotten Importance of Grasslands and the Struggles of Wolves

Grasslands, often overlooked and wrongly labeled as “wastelands,” are in fact one of the most crucial ecosystems in India. Over the past 200 years, nearly 70–80% of these habitats have been lost due to agricultural expansion, urbanization, and large-scale tree plantations. Recent international research comparing present-day satellite images with those from the 1850s highlights just how severely degraded these ecosystems have become.

In Maharashtra, the Deccan Plateau grasslands—sometimes called the “treasures of the West”—are home to unique wildlife such as the Great Indian Bustard, Blackbuck, and Indian wolves. These habitats not only support biodiversity but also play a vital role in carbon storage and ecological stability. Despite this, they continue to be mismanaged, leading to further decline.

Among the species most affected are wolves, the top predators of our grasslands. Wolves are under growing threat due to shrinking habitats, plastic waste, and human-wildlife conflict. In regions like Pune, Solapur, and Ahmednagar, they face declining prey bases and frequent retaliatory killings linked to livestock depredation. A new and alarming challenge is the spread of canine distemper virus (CDV) from domestic dogs to wolves, which has already caused illness and deaths in wild populations.

The survival of wolves is closely tied to the survival of grasslands. Protecting them requires urgent action—scientific research, habitat conservation, disease monitoring, and strong cooperation between local communities, conservation groups, and government bodies.

Why it matters

Grasslands are not wastelands. They are vital ecosystems that sustain both wildlife and human livelihoods. By conserving wolves and the habitats they represent, we are also safeguarding biodiversity, ecological health, and the balance of nature.