The Telangana Tourism Development Corporation has launched a weekly birdwatching and nature-walk programme at Ghar-e-Mubarak in Nanakramguda, giving Hyderabad residents a structured way to experience the city’s biodiversity and learn about habitat conservation.
Around 30 birdwatchers took part in the inaugural edition of the Wings & Wilderness initiative on Sunday. Participants spotted species including the shikra, Indian peafowl, black drongo, green bee-eater, kingfisher, golden oriole, Asian koel, red-vented bulbul, red-wattled lapwing, Indian silverbill and grey francolin.
The programme was launched by the Telangana Tourism Development Corporation, with registration priced at Rs 200. Experts guided participants through the session, explaining how birds can be identified through their physical characteristics and calls. Pocket field guides were also provided to help participants recognise the species observed during the walk.
The walk extended beyond bird identification. Participants were introduced to native and non-native plant species and their role in creating habitats for birds. The format places urban biodiversity within a public tourism activity, allowing residents to engage with ecological features that can otherwise remain overlooked in a rapidly developing part of the city.
TGTDC managing director Kranthi Valluru said birds contribute to ecological balance through seed dispersal and help sustain natural ecosystems. She also stressed the need to raise awareness about biodiversity conservation, warning that some bird species could be seen only in museums by future generations if conservation efforts were neglected.
The corporation said nature walks would be organised every Sunday to encourage public participation in birdwatching and promote nature-based tourism. A recurring schedule could give the initiative a regular civic and tourism presence, although the supplied announcement does not specify the number of walks planned, the sites that will be covered after Nanakramguda or how participation will be assessed.
The programme will also connect biodiversity with Hyderabad’s built heritage. As part of World Heritage Week, TGTDC will organise a special birdwatching and heritage walk titled “Wings over Heritage” at the Qutb Shahi Tombs on November 22. The event is intended to familiarise participants with the city’s biodiversity alongside its historical and cultural heritage.
The next scheduled milestone for the initiative is the Qutb Shahi Tombs walk, while the weekly Wings & Wilderness nature walks are expected to continue every Sunday.
