An Ecological Heritage Report

by
Arun Vasireddy & Sriram Reddy
KANCHA

CLAIM FOR

RESERVE FOREST
GACHIBOWLI

PROTECTION AS A
Table
of
Contents
1. WHY IS KANCHA GACHIBOWLI
FOREST IMPORTANT?

2. WILDERNESS AT KANCHA
GACHIBOWLI FOREST

3. HYDROLOGICAL IMPORTANCE
OF KANCHA GACHIBOWLI FOREST

4. WHAT THRIVES AT KANCHA

GACHIBOWLI FOREST?

5. WHAT IS THE TREE DIVERSITY

OF KANCHA GACCHIBOWLI
FOREST?

6. ECOSYSTEM SERVICES FROM

KANCHA GACHIBOWLI FOREST

7. STAKEHOLDERS, COMMUNITIES
AND ACTION PLAN
Why is
Kancha
Gachibowli
Forest (KGF)
important?

Kancha Gachibowli Forest (KGF) is

a treasure trove of numerous
species of trees and animals.
Although the government
departments have neglected it,
students and faculty have
nurtured this site into the pristine
wilderness as it is today.

Moist dry-deciduous forests and scrub jungles KGF is the highest point of the Manjira basin.
are the norm for all arid regions of the world. Every drop of water preserved here will effect
Scrub forests have biodiversity that is equivalent 1000s of hectares of land and the entire basin
to any evergreen forests of the world. For itself. With industries at IDA Bolarum, which is
example, KGF has 233 bird species while KBR another high point, it is important for
National Park’s diversity if 150, and much lesser Hydrological security of the basin to have KGF’s
for Mrugavani National Park and others around clean fresh water to preserve the sanctity of the
Hyderabad. canals that finally merge into the Manjira. As an
analogy, KGF’s route-flow provides that
Murricia hyderabadensis is unique spider that is half-glass of water which saves the land from the
1
endemic to the Kancha Gachibowli Forest, polluted poison that is the other half.
discovered only in 2010. It is found no where else
in the world. You will find in this document a variety of
biodiversity present at KGF and the imporance
Also it is important to note that in the cities and of the place. This is a compilation made with the
towns of India, more than half of bird species efforts of hundreds of alumni of the University of
(and there by extending them as an indicator to Hyderabad.
the insects and other biological forms) are within
academic campuses.

3
Vulnerable Animals
at Kancha Gachibowli Forest (KGF)

Indian Rock Python

Indian Rock Python (Python molurus)

IUCN Red List: Near Threatened
Schedule 1 of Wildlife Protection Act 1972
(Highest Protection)

Bengal Monitor Lizard

Bengal Monitor (Varanus bengalensis)
IUCN Red List: Near Threatened
Schedule 1 of Wildlife Protection Act 1972
(Highest Protection)

Star Tortoise
Star Tortoise (Chamaeleo zeylanicus)
IUCN Red List: Vulnerable
Schedule 1 of Wildlife Protection Act 1972
(Highest Protection)

Indian Chameleon
Indian Chameleon (Varanus bengalensis)
IUCN Red List: LC
Schedule 2 of Wildlife Protection Act 1972

Spotted Deer
Spotted Deer (Axis axis)
IUCN Red List: LC
Schedule 2 of Wildlife Protection Act 1972

4
Vulnerable Birds
at Kancha Gachibowli Forest (KGF)

Osprey (Fish-eating Eagle)

Osprey (Pandion haliaetus)

IUCN Red List: LC
Schedule 1 of Wildlife Protection Act 1972
Migratory

Indian Peafowl
Indian Peafowl (Pavo cristatus)
IUCN Red List: LC
Schedule 1 of Wildlife Protection Act 1972
Resident, Nesting
There are more peacocks at KGF than KBR National Park
established for the protection of peacocks

Woolly-necked Stork
Asian Woolly-necked Stork(Ciconia
episcopus)
IUCN Red List: Near Threatened
Schedule 2 of Wildlife Protection Act 1972
Migratory

Painted Stork
Painted Stork (Mycteria leucocephala)
IUCN Red List: Near Threatened
Schedule 2 of Wildlife Protection Act 1972
Resident, Nesting

Spot-billed Pelican

Spot-billed Pelican (Pelecanus philippensis)

IUCN Red List: Near Threatened
Schedule 2 of Wildlife Protection Act 1972
Occasionally Seen

5
Vulnerable Birds
at Kancha Gachibowli Forest (KGF)

Black-headed Ibis

Black-headed Ibis (Threskiornis

melanocephalus)
IUCN Red List: Near Threatened
Schedule 2 of Wildlife Protection Act 1972

Oriental Darter

Oriental Darter (Anhinga melanogaster)

IUCN Red List: Near Threatened
Schedule 2 of Wildlife Protection Act 1972
Migratory

Pallid Harrier
Pallid harrier (Circus macrourus)
IUCN Red List: Near Threatened
Schedule 1 of Wildlife Protection Act 1972
Migratory

River Tern
River Tern (Sterna aurantia)
IUCN Red List: Vulnerable
Schedule 1 of Wildlife Protection Act 1972
Resident

Common Pochard

Common Pochard (Circus macrourus)

IUCN Red List: Vulnerable
Schedule 1 of Wildlife Protection Act 1972
Migratory

6
Birds
at Kancha Gachibowli Forest (KGF)

KKancha Gachibowli has recorded a total of 233 bird species, showcasing

its rich avian diversity. The area supports both resident and migratory
birds. The presence of birds listed under India’s Wildlife Protection Act
(WPA) Schedules I and II further emphasizes the need for conservation
efforts. The State of India's Birds (SoIB) 2023 report classifies several
species from this region under high conservation priority, highlighting the
ecological significance of Kancha Gachibowli.
WPA Schedule-I Species
At Kancha Gachibowli Forest (KGF)

Under the Wildlife Protection Act (WPA), 1972, Schedule I species are those
that receive the highest level of legal protection in India.

S.No English Name Scientific Name

1 Cotton Pygmy-Goose Nettapus coromandelianus

2 Common Pochard Aythya ferina

3 Indian Peafowl Pavo cristatus

4 Common Greenshank Tringa nebularia

5 Indian Courser Cursorius coromandelicus

6 River Tern Sterna aurantia

7 Eurasian Spoonbill Platalea leucorodia

8 Cinnamon Bittern Ixobrychus cinnamomeus

9 Osprey Pandion haliaetus

10 Egyptian Vulture Neophron percnopterus

11 White-rumped Vulture Gyps bengalensis

12 Indian Vulture Gyps indicus

13 Short-toed Snake-Eagle Circaetus gallicus

14 Booted Eagle Hieraaetus pennatus

15 Shikra Accipiter badius

16 Eurasian Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus

17 Western Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus

18 Pallid Harrier Circus macrourus

19 Montagu's Harrier Circus pygargus

20 Brahminy Kite Haliastur indus

21 White-eyed Buzzard Butastur teesa

22 Asian Barn Owl Tyto alba

23 Mottled Wood-Owl Strix ocellata

24 Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus

25 Small Minivet Pericrocotus cinnamomeus

26 Rufous-fronted Prinia Prinia buchanani

27 Forest Wagtail Dendronanthus indicus

High Priority Birds by IUCN Category at
Kancha Gachibowli Forest (KGF)

The IUCN Status refers to the International Union for Conservation of Nature
(IUCN) Red List classification of species based on their risk of extinction. The
IUCN Red List is the most widely recognized system for assessing the global
conservation status of species.

S.No English Name Scientific Name IUCN Category

1 Common Pochard Aythya ferina Vulnerable

2 River Tern Sterna aurantia Vulnerable

3 Asian Woolly-necked Stork Ciconia episcopus Near Threatened

4 Painted Stork Mycteria leucocephala Near Threatened

5 Oriental Darter Anhinga melanogaster Near Threatened

6 Black-headed Ibis Threskiornis melanocephalus Near Threatened

7 Spot-billed Pelican Pelecanus philippensis Near Threatened

8 Egyptian Vulture Neophron percnopterus Endangered

9 White-rumped Vulture Gyps bengalensis Critically Endangered

10 Indian Vulture Gyps indicus Critically Endangered

11 Pallid Harrier Circus macrourus Near Threatened

High Priority Birds by SoIB 2023
at Kancha Gachibowli Forest (KGF)

SoIB Status refers to the State of India’s Birds (SoIB) 2023 Status, which is an
assessment of the conservation status and population trends of bird
species in India. Below are the list of birds which are marked as High priority.

S.No English Name Scientific Name

1 Garganey Spatula querquedula

2 Northern Shoveler Spatula clypeata

3 Northern Pintail Anas acuta

4 Green-winged Teal Anas crecca

5 Common Pochard Aythya ferina

6 Sirkeer Malkoha Taccocua leschenaultii

7 Little Ringed Plover Charadrius dubius

8 Pin-tailed Snipe Gallinago stenura

9 Marsh Sandpiper Tringa stagnatilis

10 Common Redshank Tringa totanus

11 Common Greenshank Tringa nebularia

12 Ruff Calidris pugnax

13 Little Stint Calidris minuta

14 Indian Courser Cursorius coromandelicus

15 Whiskered Tern Chlidonias hybrida

16 Eurasian Spoonbill Platalea leucorodia

17 Osprey Pandion haliaetus

18 Egyptian Vulture Neophron percnopterus

19 White-rumped Vulture Gyps bengalensis

20 Indian Vulture Gyps indicus

21 Short-toed Snake-Eagle Circaetus gallicus

22 Western Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus

23 Pallid Harrier Circus macrourus

24 Montagu's Harrier Circus pygargus

25 Eurasian Kestrel Falco tinnunculus

26 Rufous-tailed Lark Ammomanes phoenicura

27 Oriental Skylark Alauda gulgula

28 Sulphur-bellied Warbler Phylloscopus griseolus

29 Blue-capped Rock-Thrush Monticola cinclorhyncha

30 Blue Rock-Thrush Monticola solitarius

31 Thick-billed Flowerpecker Dicaeum agile

32 Forest Wagtail Dendronanthus indicus

List of Reptiles at Kancha Gachibowli Forest
Tortoises and turtles
1 Indian Star Tortoise Geochelone elegans VU
2 Indian Black Turtle Melanochelys trijuga NT
3 Indian Flap-shelled Turtle Ussemys punctata LC
Agamids and Chameleon
1 Common Garden Lizard Calotes vultuosus NE
2 Blanford's Rock Agama Psammophilus blanfordanus LC
3 Peninsular Rock Agama Psammophilus donates LC
4 Spiny-headed Fan-throated Lizard Sitana spinaecephalus NE
5 Indian Chameleon Chamadeo zeylonicus LC

Geckos
1 Emulous leaf-toed gecko Hemidoctylus oemulus NE
2 Yellow-bellied House Gecko Hemidactylus flavivIrldis NE
3 Common House Gecko Hemidoctylus frenotus LC
4 Giant Leaf-toed Gecko Hernicloctylus glgonteus LC

5 Leschenauit's Leaf-toed Gecko Hernklactylus leschenauf tit NE

6 Treutler's Gecko Nemidactylus treutierl LC
7 Termite Hill Gecko HemIdactylus triedrus NE
Skinks
1 Common Spotted Supple Skink Rlopa punctata NE
2 Common Grass Skink Eutropis carinata LC
3 Bronze Skink Eutropis matt:lona NE
Varanids
1 Common Monitor Lizard Varanus bengalensis LC
Snakes
1 Beaked Worm Snake Grypotyphlops acutus LC
2 Brahminy Worm Snake Indotyphiops braminus NE
3 Indian Rock Python Python molurus NE
4 Common Sand Boa Eryx conicus NE
5 Red Sand Boa Eryxjohnil NE
6 Long-nosed Vine Snake Ahoetullo oxyrhynco NE
7 Common Cat Snake Bolga trigonoto LC
8 Common Trinket Snake Coelognothus heleno NE
9 Common Bronzeback Snake Dendrelophis tristis NE
10 Slender Wolf Snake Lycodon fasclolatus NE
11 Yellow-collared Wolf Snake Lycodon ffavicollis NE
12 Bridal Snake Lycodon nympha NE
13 Barred Wolf Snake Lycodon striatus NE
14 Streaked Kukri Snake Oligodon taeniolatus NE
15 Russell's Kukri Snake Oligodon russellius LC
16 Nagarjunsagar Racer Pktyceps bholanathi DD
17 Banded Racer P1atyceps piing NE
18 Indian Rat Snake Ptyas mucosa NE
19 Dumeril's Black-headed Snake Sibynophis subpunctatus NE
20 Buff-striped Keelback Amphiesma stoktum NE
21 Olive Keelback Atretium schistosum LC
22 Checkered Keelback Fowleo piscotor NE
23 Green Keelback Rhabdophls plumbkolor NE
24 Common Indian Kraft Bungarus coeruleus NE
25 Spectacled Cobra Nolo nojo NE
26 Russell's Viper Dobolo russet NE
27 Saw-scaled Viper Echls carinotus NE

Checklist compiled by Friends of Snakes Society based on snake rescues,

opportunistic visual encounter surveys, and roadkill surveys between 2012 and 2024.
List of Amphibians at Kancha Gachibowli Forest

Frogs and Toads

S. No. Common Name Scientific Name IUCN Status

Duttaphrynus
1 Asian Common Toad LC
melanostictus

2 Schneider's Toad Duttaphrynus scaber LC

Euphlyctis
3 Indian Skipper Frog NE
cyanophlyctis

4 Jerdon's Bullfrog Hoplobatrachus crassus LC

Hoplobatrochus
5 Indian Bullfrog LC
tigerinus

6 Indian Burrowing Frog Sphoerotheco brevkeps LC

7 Ornate Narrow-mouth Frog Microhylo ornate LC

8 Red Narrow-mouth Frog Microhylo rubro LC

9 Srl Lankan Painted Frog Uperodon taprobanlcus LC

10 Variegated Ramanella Uperodon yorlegotus LC

11 Indian Balloon Frog Uperodon globulosus LC

12 Marbled Balloon Frog Uperodon systoma LC

13 Indian Tree Frog Polypedates maculatus LC

Other Important Wildlife

Hyderabad Tree-trunk
Spider
Hyderabad Tree-trunk Spider (Murricia
hyderabadensis)
Endemic to Kancha Gachabowli forest.
This species is discovered in 2010 and
cannot be found anywhere else in the world.

Indian Courser
Indian Courser (Cursorius coromandelicus)

Grasslands, previously grazing grounds, are

the most degraded of eco habitats.
Locally vulnerable population

Indian Hoopoe
Indian Hoopoe (Upopa epops)

Severely restricted Grasslands habitat across

Hyderabad.
Locally vulnerable population.

Pied Kingfisher
Having the last two clean freshwater lakes of
Hyderabad in its peripheries, these
Kingfishers are now only seen over Buffalo
Lake and other smaller waterbodies inside
KGF. Locally vulnerable population.

Marking Nut
Marking Nut (Semecarpus anacardium)
This evergreen tree species is only found in
the wild in Kancha Gachibowli amongst all the
forests of Hyderabad. These are found in
considerable numbers.

7
Wilderness
at
Kancha
Gachibowli
Forest

There are very strong relationships

between rocks, lakes, forest, their
organisms and us. These healthy
interactions are healthier in a primary
forest than a secondary forest like a
Miyawaki forest or a Forest
Department’s plantation.

To compare, the number of birds at a

TSFDC plantation like at Bahadurpally is
less than 50, compared to 233 at KGF.

The environment around us consists of remnants Leaf litter, rocks, earthworms and strong root
of excess everywhere. Air, water, soil, and even systems preserve the soil from erosion holding it
darkness of the night is polluted. Hyderabad is together. Grazing favors thorny plants, which is
no exception and has many human triggered prevalent in the forest peripheries. Relatively, the
disturbances. Yet, KGF offers a peaceful green interior forest area of KGF has little to no thorny
respite and chance for life in an extremely trees or plants.
concrete jungle.
Grasslands thrive with native grasses, sedges
Hyderabad's annual rainfall is a modest 800 mm. and small flowering plants. Grasses turn golden
Xerophytic shrubs grow rapidly in the monsoon for the long dry season and blaze green during
surviving the harshest summers without human the monsoon. Invasive Wild Tulasi weed has
intervention. Most trees shed their leaves in the taken over most areas with heavy human footfall,
dry season. Surprisingly, by number of trees, the appearing first at every disturbed land. The
thorny scrub forest is no less than a rainforest. dangerous Lantana weed is not dominant yet.
The trees though are stumped, woody and Parthenium is relegated to certain sections.
frequently thorny as well. They are mistakenly
interpreted to be of lesser ecological value. Just Grassland birds thrive at KGF due to favorable
for information, there is no denser forest in all of habitats. These include the Skylarks, Hoopoe,
the Manjira river basin. Munias, Warblers, Robins, Stonechats, Minivets
and Telangana’s state bird, the Indian Roller.
At KGF, both open and closed canopies exist.
Ficuses have the most number of closed
canopies. Almost all are about 10 m tall.

8
Meso Ecosystems of KGF, the Deccan-scape

Lakes
Home to the Indian Bull Frogs, Checkered Keelbacks,
Olive Keelbacks and many freshwater fish, the lakes
are formed by precipitation and also by collected
dew in the winter. Out of nearly 200 lakes within
Greater Hyderabad, we only have 10 clean lakes left,
of which 4 are in this forest and UoH.

Caves
The most distinctive feature also houses the most
solitary species such as bats, spiders, rats, and
snakes. Dark and seemingly empty, these aesthetic
caves amongst rocks features spiders, snakes,
scorpions and bats, all vital to the ecosystem. They
also provide much needed respite from summer heat.

Grasslands
The most disturbed of the ecosystems of KGF,
grasses and wedges at a time took up nearly half
of the entire green space. Now they are
considerably smaller. Monsoon flowers dot the
pans and grasslands to life with an abundance of
butterflies like pansies, darts and grass yellows.

Marshes
Hyderabad is a city full of lakes. As the forest abuts
the beautiful Buffalo, Peacock and Half-moon lakes,
there are plenty of quietude-loving shore birds that
live and thrive by the shore and in marshes. They
have the highest carbon sedimentation rates
protecting the land from pollutants.

Anthropogenic
There are several human factors that affect the site.
These include construction,, roads, fields nearby,
visitors, trekking, devotees, encroachments and more.
Most of these have negatively impacted the
environment but have not affected to cause any
permanent damage here, yet.

9
Special Micro Ecosystems of KGF

Pan Pools
Home to the Indian Skittering Frog, pan pools are
exclusively rock pools that team with young
tadpoles and skittering frogs during the
monsoon. Tadpoles feed on insect larvae such as
mosquitoes'. Many young frogs here follow water
pathways to death at the mines or roads.

Earthworm Cities
Earthworm burrows spread out to almost the
entire shaded region of KGF. This rich soil is
porous and helps increase minerals in the soil
and seed movement. These cause a quiet
change in how trees are distributed as well
making them excellent ecosystem engineers.

Rock Crevices
Ants carry ficus and ziziphus fruits, there by
seeds into rock crevices where they grow with
little nutrition. Then the fruits attract birds that
protect the ants from frogs. Root networks too
save them from predators. The trees though
eventually crack the rock open.

Shaded Groves
Come summer, new relationships emerge among
the residents of the forest converging into the
groves. Shade is of high demand with intense
predator and prey interactions. Scorpions rule
the leaf litter while monkeys & peacocks take
over the Ficus trees.

Under Boulders
All is not quiet under the silent rocks. Convection
causes the caves, cracks and regions under the
boulders to remain cool during the summer. This
saves most roots from the cold and heat during
the year. Scorpions, snakes, agamas, skinks all
thrive under the rock shade and leaf litter.

10
Hydrological
importance of
Kancha
Gachibowli
Forest

Kancha Gachibowli is in a crucial zone

that also houses ISB, IIIT, Wipro, ISB,
Accenture, Amazon and the Financial
District. It is the The forest is last
undisturbed wilderness in the area,
remnant of a full scale rocky hill
forest of the city within the ORR. At
one time, this is the most common
forest type of Hyderabad city.

Hyderabad is a dry arid land and It is through The clean freshwater lakes of the forest are home to
regular landscape management that Golconda many birds. Just to address the contrast,
and Hyderabad become cities. The most crucial Nallagandla lake which is adjacent to the forest and
challenge to overcome is to ensure a good is exposed to the nearby pollution has 170 species
supply of drinking/irrigation water for which lakes of birds while Buffalo lake has 223 species of birds
are built centuries ago. These connected lakes visiting the lake. This is within a distance of 400
now act as both storm water and sewage outlets meters as the crow flies.
of the city. Rocks shape the water flow to the Further downstream, the number of birds reduce
lakes. A loss of rocky habitat is a direct cause for drastically to 50 species and even worse later on as
inundation of surrounding regions in running the water becomes even more polluted and harmful.
water that has now no proper historical course It is only because of the cleanliness of the lake,
to flow out. It is also death to thousands of trees where water is continuously added from
downstream and animals that live in these now precipitation and channeled through the roots of
fragile environment. trees through out the year that the lakes remain
fresh and survive 9 months of the year.
Preserving Kancha Gachibowli forest ensures the
well being of the lake and hillock ecosystem that This water system has also ensured that the entire
Hyderabad thrives upon. It ensures that the forest is completely surviving free of any forest
roads of Gachibowli and areas as far as management including water supply. Maintaining a
Patancheru aren't flooded by storm water forest of this size requires crores of rupees every
runoffs. year such as it is done for KBR National Park.

11
What thrives
at Kancha
Gachibowli
Forest?

KGF has the largest native grasslands of all the

green spaces in and around the city. KGF is the
only home to Hyderabad’s endemic tree-trunk
spider ‘Murricia hyderabadensis’.

KGF has more number of India’s national bird,

Peacock, than KBR National Park. KGF has more
bird species (233 species) than any other forest
in the city. Unlike most national parks and
reserve forests, the animals are self-sustaining
without any intervention. It costs nothing to
maintain this green space. It costs 1000s of
crores to create even the smallest version of it.

KGF has the largest grasslands of all the green Green spaces carries with them an intrinsic
spaces in and around the city. It is last home for attraction to all nature lovers and adventurers.
grassland birds like the Indian Hoopoes, Oriental KGF is the biggest lung space open to the
Skylarks butterflies like the Grass Yellows and students of the University of Hyderabad, and for
Darts within the city. This grassland is also the decades this green space has been an unofficial
last home for the Indian Roller (Telangana’s State intrinsic part of the campus. Students have
Bird) within Hyderabad. cared for injured animals here, made wild animal
rescues, walked, and enjoyed this urban
The tree diversity at Kancha Gachibowli Forest is commons. They are a major stakeholder in this
well over 72 species. This is the largest and only public land. This land is not a forsaken “Revenue
forest with Marking Nut (Semecarpus :and” as per claims but a living and breathing
anacardium) in and around Hyderabad. In Telugu, jungle that is claimed and loved by thousands of
the tree is known as Chaakali Jeedi students who live on the campus, and thousands
(Washerman’s Nut), and is extensively sought by more who wishes to preserve greenery in
the washermen community for decades. With Hyderabad.
these trees gone, there is a history and culture
that is wiped out. It will be Hyderabad’s loss. The absence of this forest is a major jolt to
Gachibowli which is already struggling to
The rock forms here are specially unique, such as breathe. The city has already reached its limits
the mushroom rock. They have as much with AQI at many areas, Gachibowli being one of
geological importance as Fakruddin Gutta the worst hit. It is catastrophical to ignore the
(Khajaguda). negative effects of the absence of such a large
self-sustaining green space.

12
Wild Trees at Kancha Gachibowli Forest

Ficus Ziziphus
Ficuses are the most iconic trees of rocky Ziziphus fruits are present from October to
spaces. Ficus arnottiana, Ficus benghalensis and February. The thorny bush Ziziphus spina-christi
Ficus mollis survive some of the harshest is can be seen in crevices or adjacent
conditions in the rocks to eventually feed a wide grasslands. Ziziphus mauritiana and Ziziphus
variety of birds and the occasional monkeys. xylopyrus have a sparse distribution.

Palms Neem
On the lake shore are a few Toddy Palm A vital food source in the summer, koel,
trees and Date Palm trees which according bulbul, monkeys all survive on the ripe neem
to locals used to be in many numbers 20 fruit. Spread evenly across the road and
years ago. Parakeets, Mynas, Barbets and parts of the forest, it is the most well known
Owls nest in toddy palm trees. tree for the public.

Indian Elm Indian Ash

A wild tree of ethnomedical importance, There are a small number of these lovely
there are only a handful Indian Elms left with trees spread here and there. Lannea
few lost in dirt fills and few more cut down coromandelica groves offer summer shade
to lay the current road. with cool, colourful and thick leaf litter under
which scorpions and earthworms thrive.

Pala Indigo Sitaphal

Monsoon is filled with sweet wild flowers. The A non-native tree that has taken readily and
sweet scent of the tree's flowers spread wide naturalized to the rocks of Telangana is Sitaphal.
across the entire forest area. Unlike the Night Climate change can be easily observed by the
Jasmine, Pala Indigo is more evenly spread. Its fruits of Sitaphal here. The tree is best seen with
fruit pairs are joined at the base and apex. rocks supporting its fragile roots.

Haldu Governor's Plum

The delicate stem of Haldu can be easily carved. The thickest of the groves are the only places
It isn't uncommon to see markings of animals on where these trees are. And all during spring, birds
the Haldu's bark. Its beautiful spherical fruit can love being around the tree for its fruits. The
be mistaken for those of Kadamba. Its heart leaves are usually full of moth/butterfly eggs.
shaped leaves standout.

13
 Wild Trees at Kancha Gachibowli Forest

Acacias Parijat
Acacia campbelli, Acacia eburnea, Acacia Couple of lone Parijat trees lie on a corner of the
leucophloea have a strong presence at Kg. One forest spreading their native sweet smells
Babool tree stands by the edge of the lake. All through the monsoon. These attract numerous
the trees are loved by insects, spiders and small insects and worms through out the rainy season
creatures. and winter months.

Sea Lemon Grewias

Monsoon brings in the bright fruits that are Between the boulders are Grewias, always.
untouched by any animal. These tasty edible Grewia asiatica(Falsa) is commonly seen.
fruit are enjoyed by trekkers. The fruit don't Grewia tiliifolia is occasionally present. Both
last more than few minutes after plucking are loved by small insects. One can usually
making it commercially unviable. see Thorny Jujube and Falsa together.

Indian Screw Indian Satinwood

Helicteres isora is a unique tree with screw O the genus Chloroxylon, the tree is native
shaped fruit. When its red flowers bloom in to the dry deciduous forests here.
spring, this unique grove is filled with scores Sporadically present, the oldest grove of
of butterflies of over 12 species, moths and these tree is close to Buffalo lake.
is full of life.

Marking Nut Indian Soapnut

KGF has the largest cluster of Marking Nut Along with the marking nuts is this summer tree
(Semecarpus anacardium) anywhre in Telangana. that stands green in April and May offering shade
They are culturally relevant and are evergreen and much needed moisture. The damp leaf litter
sustaining life even during summer. These trees under this tree is a favorite hunting ground for
are unique for their presence and must be millipedes.
conserved for natural biodiversity.

Jamaica Cherry Others

Fruit bats go crazy at the smell of these little red There are 60 wild tree species and few
fruits in the air. Summer nights are a frenzy introduced species in the peripheries. At about
feeding time. These little fruit are enjoyed by 100 trees per acre, and the forest area in KGF
trekkers taking only those that are reachable by being about 400 acres, KGF has atleast 40000
hand, an American Indian philosophy. trees.

14
Other Wild Animals at Kancha Gachibowli Forest

15
Other Botanical Treasures at
Kancha Gachibowli Forest

16
Ecosystem Serices
from Kancha Gachibowli
Forest

Tree diversity, density

and numbers at KGF
are no less compared
to any national
park/reserve forest of
Hyderabad

Kanche Gachibowli is a 400 acres of land, the The lake at the highest point of an arid region is
exact details of which will be available once the not just a water body; it’s a critical hydrological
total survey of the site is completed and lifeline that sustains the local ecosystem. For
boundaries are firmly established. humans, it provides essential water for drinking
and agriculture. For animals, it serves as a
Within the area, there is a wide variety of watering source, habitat, and a crucial refuge in
ecosystems inside. These include the grasslands, times of extreme heat or drought. Trees and
scrub forest, rock hills, freshwater shore within vegetation around the lake are able to flourish
which are numerous other micro ecosystems such due to the availability of water, contributing to
as the rock pans in which the skittering frogs thrive the health of the ecosystem. This lake forms the
and reproduce, tree crevices full of ants and seeds center of life in an otherwise harsh environment,
and as such. enabling both wildlife and human communities to
endure in the region. Its role in maintaining
The richness of this habitat can be understood biodiversity, regulating the local climate, and
from its tree diversity and the beautiful groves of supporting hydrological processes cannot be
Marking Nut, Rock Fig, Babool, Haldu and more. As overstated, making it an irreplaceable asset for
of today, despite 3 national parks and numerous the region.
reserve forests, Kanche Gachibowli is the only
forest in Hyderabad with large grasslands and Scrub jungles are not as dense as tropical
numerous healthy lakes. forests, they still capture carbon dioxide (CO2)
from the atmosphere through photosynthesis at
This is also the largest self-sustaining forest in almost the same level. The plants, shrubs, and
Hyderabad with wild deer and other animals. All trees in scrub jungles sequester carbon in their
other deer parks are maintained by forest biomass, helping mitigate the effects of climate
department and the deer are fed, given vet care et change.
cetera but here they are thriving by themselves.

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The vegetation in KGF plays a role in the water Through the process of transpiration, the plants
cycle by absorbing rainwater during the monsoon in scrub jungles release water vapor into the
or rainy periods and storing it in the soil. This helps atmosphere, which can increase the local
to maintain the local water balance. The trees here humidity and contribute to a more comfortable
are capable of absorbing the little water to survive microclimate, especially in otherwise dry areas.
or lose leaves in harsh climates to prevent Evergreen trees like Babool, Marking Nut,
transpiration. Soapnut are aplenty at KGF. These are very
useful during summer to increase the humidity
The root systems of scrub vegetation can help of nearby ultra-dry built environment of
facilitate groundwater recharge by allowing water Cyberabad. This results in at the least 1 to 4
to percolate into deeper layers of the soil, degree centigrade of heat regulation through the
improving water availability during dry spells. The umbrella area. This effects the climate in these
result can be seen in the water tables around areas, power consumption and general air
Tellapur and nearby areas. quality.

This forest also helps moderate the local hydrology Scrub jungles host a variety of predators (birds,
by reducing the speed and volume of water runoff, reptiles, small mammals, etc.) that help regulate
which can reduce flooding risks and support water populations of pests, including insects and
retention. rodents. The pests controlled by the animals at
this forest include mosquitoes, houseflies, rats
KGF can moderate local temperatures around and bandicoot rats to state the least. The
Gachibowli by providing shade and reducing the disturbance of the predator-prey balance will
intensity of the sun’s heat, creating a more result in catastrophic disease increase in the
hospitable environment for wildlife and humans. umbrella area including, but not limited to,
Microsoft, Amazon, Wipro, Infosys, ISB, IIIT, UoH are diseases like Malaria, Dengue, Typhoid,
all part of this forest’s umbrella. Salmonellosis and Gastroenteritis.

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Stakeholders,
Communities,
and
Action Plan

Many groups have a strong relationship

with the natural landscape of Kanche
Gachibowli. All the groups within the
umbrella area of the forest including
software engineers in Cyberabad, real
estate owners of Cyberabad, residents of
Nallagandla and Tellapur, students and
staff of UoH, the farmers and fishermen
among the basin area from UoH to
Pashamylaram covering all the lakes
under the water run-off region, animals of
the forest, trees and rocks, naturalists and
health care workers are all direct
stakeholders.

The fishermen of the lakes from Nallagandla to The forest is a recluse for hundreds of students,
Pashamylaram, farmers irrigating their lands with specially hostel students and nature lovers. Students
the water will now have to work with purely would often study under a tree by the groves of the
sewage. These include those of Tellapur, forest during summer to escape the scorching summer
Nagulapally, Velmala, Kondakal, Pati and heat in their hostels amidst power cuts. The entry to
Pashamylaram are the first stakeholders. Earlier, the forest is also almost fully restricted on all sides
the sewage and run-off during monsoon are making it exclusive to the campus. It is a shock for the
regulated by the fresh water from the forest staff and students to know that the forest area is not a
area. part of the university on paper.

With the industrial pollution adding up at Software companies such as Microsoft, Infosys and
Pashamylaram and no clean water joining, the Wipro will now be paying much more power tariffs. That
salinity of the water bodies will suffer severely is equal to a permanent tax to their establishments
even during the monsoon and further. with their air conditioners filtering higher temperatures.
This is phenomenally high, considering that their March
Residents of Tellapur, Nallagandla, Gachibowli will bills will now feel like April and so on.
have a dip in air quality. Temperatures will rise
from 1 to 4 degrees, through out the year We should not forget that the main stakeholders are
resulting in larger power bills, heat, dryness and the voiceless animals and trees. These include
loss of the cool evening breeze. The dryness of Schedule I species such as the Rock Python and
the air will make it inhospitable for vendors and Monitor Lizard, vulnerable birds like the Godwits, Storks,
other walkers in nearby areas as humidity will be Eagle-owls and Ospreys and at least 40000 trees.
reduced by wild tree cover.

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The relationships between the lakes, forest, their
organisms and us is ecology. These interactions
happen within places called ecosystems. KGF is
in that way very rich. It is easily worth over
10,000 crores of rupees to the public in terms of
the services it offers. These are public lands and
are to be preserved as forested areas. The forest
has no where else to go, development can surely
go elsewhere.

Given the regional prominence of the forest, one

expects a protective structure around it. Well, it
is the people who came across to this hill for a
decade, have felt connected to the beautiful
little wonders at every nook and cranny of it and
came across to preserve it for posterity.

I hope this document has convinced that the

biodiversity of the Kanche Gachibowli public
land is well worthy of a forest in all terms, except
on paper.

We request for the following actions to be taken

1. We request the Honorable CM Shri Anumula

Revanth Reddy, former UoH alum and Dy. CM
Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka, Minister of Forests
and Environment Shri Konda Surekha, former
UoH alum and Minister of IT Shri D. Sridhar
Babu, and PCCF Shri R. M. Dobriyal to visit the
Kanche Gachibowli Forest soon.
2. Prepare a authentic and reliable EIA report
for the Kanche Gachibowli public land.
3. Discuss with all stakeholders the feasibility
of auctioning this public land, including the
upsides and drawbacks of the measures
being taken.
4. If found suitable, which it surely will, please
designate the forest as a protected land by
declaring it a Reserve Forest through a public
notification.
5. Find alternative sites for revenue and real-
estate development. We do not raze temples,
schools or forests for real-estate or financial
development, that is against the ethos of the
Indian way of life.
6. Build trails and an interpretation center
maintained by the student orgs of UoH.
7. Conduct a survey for the number of
peacocks, and propose the Kanche
Gachibowli Forest as a National Park.

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THE ICONIC MUSHROOM ROCK (PIC ABOVE) HAS BEEN A LANDMARK SYMBOL FOR THE
UNIVERSITY OF HYDERABAD AND IS A STUDENT FAVORITE. IT IS THE ICONIC OF THE MANY
ROCKY LANDFORMS PRESENT AT KANCHE GACHIBOWLI FOREST.

HYDERABAD HAS THREE NATIONAL PARKS AND MANY OTHER FORESTED AREAS
BUT THE DIVERSITY OF TREES, BIRDS AND INSECTS IS HIGHEST AT KANCHA GACHIBOWLI.
IT IS THE MOST WELL PRESERVED FOREST WITHIN HYDERABAD AREA, AND IS BETTER THAN
HYDERABAD’S NATIONAL PARKS. IT IS A SELF-SUSTAINING FOREST WITH EVERGREEN TREES
AND LARGE GRASSLANDS. GIVEN ITS REGIONAL PROMINENCE, THE FOREST CAN BE APTLY
TERMED AS THE LUNGS OF CYBERABAD.

For further information, contact

Dr. Reshma Beeram 8500303700
Sriram Reddy (Birds) 8008909994

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