“The smallest blade of grass is as important as the tallest tree,” says G.D. Muratkar, widely known as the ‘Grass Man of India’ and recipient of the Sanctuary Green Teacher Award 2013. At a time when grasslands were poorly understood and often dismissed as wastelands, he was developing scientific techniques for their restoration. His interventions have helped revive thousands of hectares of grasslands, supporting ungulates, tigers, and broader wildlife ecosystems. Today, he is mentoring the younger generation to become better ecologists through his lectures and hands-on field-based methods. Senior Editor Shatakshi Gawade sits down with him to understand his journey and to explore how far India has come, even as its grasslands continue to rapidly disappear.
Often referred to as the ‘Grass Man of India’, Professor G.D. Muratkar was honoured with the Sanctuary Green Teacher Award in 2013. He continues to share his love of grasses with his students. Photo: Sanctuary Photolibrary.
Tell us about your journey to becoming a grasslands specialist!
My journey began in the Vidarbha region of Maharashtra, in Daryapur tehsil of Amravati district, where I was associated with the cropland ecosystem and developed a deep-rooted connection to the local landscape. My upbringing in an area surrounded by rich biodiversity laid the groundwork for my future vocation. I eventually earned the title ‘Grass Man of India’ for my work in creating grassland habitats across the country.
What first sparked your interest in botany and environmental science, and how did your Ph.D. shape your life path?
My interest in botany was sparked by a desire to understand the floristic diversity of Sant Gadge Baba Amrawati University campus during my days as an undergraduate and postgraduate student. The curiosity deepened during my Ph.D., where I focused on the ecological and environmental study of grasses and floral diversity of the Melghat Tiger Reserve, a phase that turned to be a turning point. This is when I realised that everyone was focused on charismatic species such as tigers, but very few were looking at the grass that sustained the entire food chain.
What is it like guiding students in a college that is so close to a Protected Area, and especially teaching about grasses and grasslands?
The Arts, Science and Commerce College Chikhaldara – run by Sipna Shikshan Prasarak Mandal, Amravati – is located near the Melghat Tiger Reserve. Having a Protected Area as a neighbour allows me to use the landscape as a living laboratory! The ecological study of grasses of the Melghat Tiger Reserve, collection of baseline data, Ecological Impact Assessment of rehabilitated villages… encourages students to see beyond the trees, focusing on the taxonomy, use of grasses for wildlife habitat, role of grasslands to increase prey density, and importance of grasses. This proximity helps bridge the gap between academic theory and practical field conservation, inspiring the next generation of ecologists.
Since we had the honour of naming you a Sanctuary Green Teacher in 2013, what would you say has been the impact of grassland restoration projects that you have been involved in?
My restoration techniques have been scaled up significantly. I have provided my expertise and services to 44 tiger reserves and 37 wildlife sanctuaries across 12 states in India, supporting the development and management of grasslands in Protected Areas. I am grateful that my work has led to the successful revival of thousands of hectares of degraded grasslands, and I have been able to train frontline staff for grassland development and management. These projects have directly increased the carrying capacity for herbivores in several tiger reserves. I have been able to influence national conservation strategies, moving the focus toward habitat-specific restoration.
Prof. Muratkar pioneered scientific methods for restoring grasslands at a time when these ecosystems were largely overlooked and commonly mischaracterised as barren wastelands. Prof. Muratkar was inspired by the grassland restoration and management initiatives of Ex. Chief Secretary of Maharashtra, Dr. Praveensingh Pardeshi IAS (above) and geologist and environmentalist Dr. Rajesh Jaipurkar. Photo Courtesy: G.D. Muratkar.
Please tell us about your meadow development technique, and how it can be applied in different regions. Why are grasslands important for biodiversity in India?
Grasslands are the foundation of India’s wilderness. I’d say grasses are the engineers of forest ecosystems. They provide the primary energy source for ungulates such as chital, sambar, and barasingha. Without healthy grasslands, prey populations dwindle, leading to a collapse of the predator (tiger/leopard) population. They are essential for specialised species such as the Great Indian Bustard and the recently reintroduced cheetah. Grasslands are also important for wildlife, especially grazing, browsing, resting, breeding, hiding and prey-predator relationships.
My signature ‘seed mother bed’ technique is a scientific, low-cost method that can be adapted to various climates. I’m glad you asked! The grassland management plan involves assessing soil characteristics such as colour, texture, and water-holding capacity to determine suitable grass species, followed by seasonal identification of grasses, weeds, legumes, and browse plants. It includes timely seed collection and processing, weed control, and restoration through seed broadcasting and habitat management. The plan is implemented over three to five years with regular monitoring, site-specific treatment strategies, and maintenance of seed banks to track progress and ensure effective restoration.
You have worked in several tiger reserves across India. What have been some of your notable experiences working in these reserves?
I have worked in several iconic landscapes, including Melghat, Tadoba, Satpura, and Corbett. A key highlight of my career was being called upon to help prepare the habitat for herbivores and carnivores in the Melghat Tiger Reserve (Vairat-Gugamal Wildlife Division), and the Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve. Then there is the wildlife habitat development and grassland restoration work at the Debrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary in Odisha, which has ensured that the landscape supports a healthy prey base.
What are the most serious threats to grasslands in India, and what are our solutions?
One of the biggest threats is the invasion of exotic weeds such as Lantana camara, Parthenium, and Eupatorium, along with the unintentional introduction of invasive grasses in Protected Areas by frontline staff, and the lack of proper grassland management techniques. The problem is compounded by the absence of grassland management guidebooks. The best solution is systematic weed eradication, followed by active ‘mother bed’ grass plantations, and a change in the legal status of grasslands, to prevent their diversion. Lantana should be removed and affected areas restored using suitable palatable grasses and browsing species. It is equally important to train frontline forest staff in grassland management and develop guidebooks with standard operating protocols.
He also enjoys spending time with children and is seen here appreciating their artwork. His message to young adults is simple: “Understand the soil before you plant the seed, and remember that the smallest blade of grass is as important as the tallest tree.” Photo Courtesy: G.D. Muratkar.
Some suggest that grasslands are in-between ecosystems – a stage towards a forest climax?
I challenge that outdated ‘climax forest’ theory, which suggests grasslands are just a temporary stage before becoming a forest. I argue that many Indian grasslands are stable, ancient ecosystems that are complete in themselves and provide unique ecological services that a dense forest cannot!
Why are grasslands often overlooked when forest conservation policies are framed?
Historically, the Indian Forest Policy has undoubtedly been ‘tree-centric’ because trees are easier to identify and count, and have a perceived higher economic value. But the Forest Conservation Act actually specifies that grasslands, wild fruit trees and browsing species be conserved and protected as tree species. Grasslands were all too often officially classified as ‘wastelands’ in revenue records, making them soft targets for development projects, rather than for conservation.
Have Forest Departments, elected officials and the general public changed their attitudes towards wild grasses and grasslands, since you began your work?
Yes, there has been a drastic change in perspective. Forest Department officials now view grass management as critical to wildlife habitat management. There is a discernable rise in the percentage of open grasslands and along roadsides in rehabilitated areas. This has helped develop good wildlife habitats and soil moisture conservation. And among the general public, there is a growing realisation that ‘greenery’ isn’t just about planting trees, but about restoring native ground cover.
Can grassland restoration help reduce human-wildlife conflict?
Restoration is key to conflict reduction. When grasslands inside Protected Areas are natural and healthy, herbivores tend to stay within park boundaries thanks to plentiful food access. Consequently, this keeps predators (such as leopards and tigers) inside the park reducing straying incidents into villages, thus reducing negative encounters with humans. Grasslands and grass nurseries help create livelihood opportunities based on fodder production for domestic cattle.
Prof. Muratkar works closely with Forest Department officials (top) on grassland management and restoration. Based on the grassland restoration approaches that he has developed, he encourages them to adopt scientifically planned management interventions to enhance grassland productivity and biodiversity conservation. Photo Courtesy: G.D. Muratkar.
What is the latest research that you are excited about?
I am particularly excited about the use of GIS mapping and soil-moisture analysis to identify which grass species will thrive in specific microclimates, and the study of phenology of grasses of Protected Areas. I am keen on developing eco-restoration techniques after uprooting invasive species, and developing a digital herbarium of grasses. I am also interested in developing a grass nursery, and studying seed germination of grasses with reference to edaphic and climatic factors.
Who inspires you, and what would your message be to the next generation of researchers, conservationists and officials?
I am inspired by Dr. Praveensingh Pardeshi IAS (Ex. Chief Secretary of Forest, Maharashtra), Dr. Rajesh Jaipurkar (geologist and environmentalist) for
doing grassland restoration and management work in Protected Areas of India in 2010-11, and Dr. Kishor Rithe (Director, Bombay Natural History Society), who encouraged and promoted me to do advanced research, and write quality research papers in the field of grassland management.
My message to the next generation is simple: Understand the soil before you plant the seed, and remember that the smallest blade of grass is as important as the tallest tree. Grasses are architects of the forest ecosystem. For Forest Department officials I would like to emphasise that the need of the hour is grassland management and restoration. Grasslands are ecologically significant habitats that support rich biodiversity, including herbivores, pollinators, ground-nesting birds, and numerous medicinal and forage species. Effective grassland restoration and management is therefore essential for sustaining ecosystem health within Protected Areas. Based on the grassland restoration approaches that I have developed, forest officials are encouraged to adopt scientifically planned management interventions to enhance grassland productivity and biodiversity conservation.
