Bird walk and wildlife photography contest mark World Wildlife Day

Metro India News | Hyderabad 

The Telangana Forest Development Corporation (TGFDC) Eco-Tourism Wing celebrated World Wildlife Day on Tuesday at the Botanical Garden, Kondapur. This year’s global theme, “Medicinal and Aromatic Plants: Conserving Health, Heritage and Livelihoods,” was highlighted through educational and awareness-driven activities promoting biodiversity conservation and sustainable living.

A Bird Walk and Wildlife Photography Contest titled “Wildlife Through My Lens” was organised with fourteen photography enthusiasts. They documented 32 bird species within the garden premises. Each participant uploaded their five best photographs to the official Deccan Woods & Trails Instagram page. Winners were awarded first, second, and third prizes along with mementos, while participation certificates were distributed to all.

60 students from Saint Anthony’s High School, Jagadgiri Gutta, and Little Flowers and Buds School, Hafeezpet, took part in awareness programmes. Students were sensitized about ecological balance, habitat conservation, human–wildlife coexistence, and the importance of medicinal and aromatic plants in traditional health systems.

They were taken on guided visits to Vriksha Parichaya Kshetram and its thematic gardens, including Herbal Medicinal, Herbal Tea, Tree Medicinal, and Tree Spice Gardens, where experts explained the relevance of these plants to livelihoods and culture. Addressing the gathering, K. Shireesha emphasized habitat protection and youth involvement in safeguarding biodiversity for a sustainable future.

ZPHS Koratla clean-up Nehru Zoological Park

A group of 120 students from ZPHS Koratla participated in a clean-up drive, clearing areas inaccessible to regular staff. On March 1, around 50 members of Birding Pals conducted a bird walk and recorded over 90 bird species in the free-ranging zone.

The Zoo Park continues to play a key role in conserving endangered species such as the Asiatic Lion, Royal Bengal Tiger, One-Horned Rhinoceros, Lion-Tailed Macaque, and Four-Horned Antelope. Animal keepers conducted informative talks at various enclosures, while an afternoon snake awareness programme highlighted the ecological importance of snakes and their role in maintaining balance in nature. To mark the occasion, various programmes including a clean-up drive, bird walk, animal keepers’ talk shows, and snake awareness sessions were organised.