Rediscovering India's Hidden Wildlife Refuges

In the arid expanses of India's Deccan Peninsula, what has long been dismissed as barren 'wastelands' is emerging as a surprising stronghold for large mammals. A groundbreaking study published in January 2026 reveals that these semi-arid agro-pastoral landscapes in Karnataka's Koppal district teem with wildlife, challenging decades-old classifications and urging a rethink in conservation strategies.

Researchers from the Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment (ATREE) and the National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS), both premier institutions fostering advanced ecological research in India, conducted this investigation. Their findings underscore the ecological richness of areas mislabeled under India's Wastelands Atlas, which categorizes open natural ecosystems—such as savannas, scrublands, and rocky outcrops—as unproductive land ripe for development.

This revelation comes at a critical time, as pressures from agricultural intensification, afforestation drives, and renewable energy projects threaten these vital habitats. For professionals in research jobs and conservation, the study offers actionable insights into land-sharing models where human activities and biodiversity coexist.

The Groundbreaking Study Unpacked

Led by Iravatee Majgaonkar from Manipal Academy of Higher Education and ATREE, alongside Anish Paul from NCBS, the research spanned 5,570 square kilometers of Koppal district. This region, characterized by black clayey and red sandy soils, receives 500-700 mm annual rainfall and features a mosaic of agriculture covering 74.63% of the land, with open natural ecosystems (ONEs) making up just 8%.

What sets this study apart is its methodology: instead of relying solely on camera traps, which are prone to theft in human-dominated areas, the team harnessed the experiential knowledge of local pastoralists through over 200 key informant interviews. These nomadic herders, with decades of field experience, provided reliable sighting data, validated through species-specific identification protocols—like distinguishing wolves from jackals via paired observations.

Using single-season occupancy modeling—a statistical framework that accounts for imperfect detection (the chance of missing a species even if present)—the researchers estimated true site occupancy (Ψ). This approach, detailed in ecological literature, adjusts for false negatives, yielding robust probabilities.

Occupancy Revelations: Numbers That Speak Volumes

The results are striking. Striped hyenas (Hyaena hyaena), a near-threatened scavenger, occupied 52% of the landscape (Ψ = 0.52, SE 0.01). Sloth bears (Melursus ursinus), vulnerable insectivores, were present in 26% (Ψ = 0.26, SE 0.01). Blackbucks (Antilope cervicapra), antelopes of conservation concern, roamed 63% (Ψ = 0.63, SE 0.01). Even the elusive Indian gray wolf (Canis lupus pallipes), endangered, showed a conservative naive occupancy of 76%.

• Hyena and sloth bear occupancy positively correlated with ONEs coverage and road proximity, suggesting these rugged patches serve as refugia.
• Blackbucks favored low-intensity monsoonal (kharif) agriculture, avoiding high road density.
• Leopards appeared sporadically (9% naive occupancy), hinting at transient use.

These figures rival densities in protected areas, proving that without formal wildlife sanctuaries—Koppal has none—these 'wastelands' sustain megafauna.

Species Spotlights: Survivors of the Deccan

Striped hyenas thrive amid livestock herds, scavenging opportunistically while avoiding peak human activity. Sloth bears, often maligned for crop raids, find termite-rich soils in ONEs. Blackbucks, fast sprinters, graze post-harvest fields, embodying successful land-sharing. Wolves, pack hunters, patrol vast expanses, preying on feral dogs and small game.

Pastoralists' insights revealed behavioral adaptations: nocturnal shifts, rocky hideouts, and seasonal migrations aligning with monsoons. This coexistence, rooted in traditional practices, buffers conflicts—only 149 reported cases from 2007-2017, likely undercounts.

Open Natural Ecosystems: The Unsung Heroes

ONEs—rocky inselbergs, open savannas, scrub vegetation—cover a mere 448 km² in Koppal but drive occupancy for hyenas (β=1.66) and bears (β=1.06). Nationally, ONEs span over 10% of India but are fragmented (94% patches 1-100 ha), per mapping studies.

These ecosystems, evolved for semi-arid conditions, resist dense forests or year-round farming, supporting 1,200+ grass species and specialists like the Great Indian Bustard. Yet, they're prime targets for 'reclamation,' risking biodiversity loss.

For ecologists pursuing research assistant jobs in biodiversity hotspots, Koppal exemplifies working landscapes' potential.

Photo by Prerna Prasad on Unsplash

Human-Wildlife Harmony in Agro-Pastoral Matrices

Koppal's 1.39 million residents rely on pastoralism—sheep, goats, cattle—seasonally grazing ONEs and stubble fields. This low-impact use enables spatiotemporal separation: wildlife active at night or off-season. Livestock biomass didn't deter occupancy, unlike intensive farming elsewhere.

Interviews highlighted mutual benefits: pastoralists deter elephants, gaining crop protection insights. This socio-ecological synergy, fading with modernization, merits preservation for resilient conservation.

The Wastelands Misclassification: A Policy Pitfall

India's Wastelands Atlas, produced by NRSC-ISRO, labels 20% of Koppal (1,152 km²) as scrub, barren rock, or degraded land—dense/open scrub, underutilized patches. Critics, including Sanctuary Nature Foundation and ATREE, argue this ignores biodiversity, cultural value, and ecosystem services worth ₹5.7 lakh crore annually.

Historically, colonial forestry prioritized timber, deeming grasslands 'waste.' Today, this fuels misguided greening, flattening savannas for exotics, harming herbivores. Science journal calls for reclassifying as distinct biomes.

A national panel demands urgent reclassification, linking to National Red List assessments revitalizing ONEs.

Looming Threats to These Vital Habitats

Intensifying agriculture (double/triple cropping), road proliferation, and urban sprawl erode ONEs. Afforestation with invasives displaces natives; solar/wind farms fragment landscapes. Climate change exacerbates droughts, stressing pastoralists and wildlife.

• Soil erosion from overgrazing/mechanization.
• Loss of traditional knowledge as youth migrate.
• Poaching, though low due to community vigilance.

Without intervention, threatened species face jeopardy, as 95% of global land is human-use.

Pathways Forward: Conservation and Policy Shifts

The study urges recognizing agro-pastoral 'wastelands' as conservation priorities. Recommendations:

• Maintain heterogeneity via zoning.
• Sustain pastoral access rights.
• Monitor via community science.
• Integrate ONEs in protected area networks.

Link to academic career advice for aspiring conservation researchers. Explore opportunities at Karnataka higher ed jobs.

Reforms like Horizon Europe association boost India-EU collaboration.

Implications for India's Biodiversity Landscape

Deccan ONEs mirror national patterns: grasslands/savannas vital yet undervalued. Protecting them aids SDGs, carbon sequestration, and livelihoods. For university jobs in ecology, this signals demand for interdisciplinary expertise.

Broader: Rethink land-sparing vs. sharing; multi-use sustains wide-rangers better than isolated parks.

Photo by Naveen Naidu on Unsplash

Future Horizons: Research and Action

Scale up to Deccan-wide mapping; deploy non-invasive tech like eDNA. Train pastoralists as citizen scientists. Policymakers: Update Wastelands Atlas, incentivize sustainable pastoralism.

In conclusion, India's 'wastelands' are wildlife havens demanding protection. Check Rate My Professor for top ecology faculty, higher ed jobs, and career advice. Explore research jobs to contribute.