Silent Sentinels No More: The Decline of Biodiversity in the University of Hyderabad

Hyderabad, historically known as the "City of Pearls", has long been celebrated not only for its rich cultural heritage but also for its diverse ecosystems. Nestled on the Deccan Plateau, the city boasts a variety of habitats, from rocky terrains and scrublands to lakes and urban forests. These environments have supported many species, making Hyderabad a biodiversity hotspot. For instance, within this ecological mosaic lies the University of Hyderabad (UoH) campus, sprawling over approximately 2,300 acres. The acres of land give the corporate skyscrapers a fresh breath of air to walk around after their monotonous routines, which are currently under threat by a deforestation plan. 

Geographically, Hyderabad was surrounded by rocks and plains until the urbanisations took place. Gradually, as the city landscape took over, the University of Hyderabad remained the sole place that boasted green in the entire city. The current library building was inaugurated by Shankar Dayal Sharma, the lawyer and former president of India. 

Between Books and Banyans: Life in a Living Ecosystem

This verandah of greenery provides shade and sheds an impressive array of flora and fauna. According to university records, the campus harbours over 700 species of flowering plants, 10 species of mammals—including spotted deer, wild boars, and porcupines—15 species of reptiles such as the Indian rock python and monitor lizard, and more than 200 species of birds, including the Indian roller, the state bird of Telangana. Notably, the campus also features ancient rock formations, like the iconic Mushroom Rock, which are over a billion years old, adding geological significance to its ecological wealth. 

However, this rich biodiversity is under threat. The Telangana government's recent decision to auction 400 acres of land in Kancha Gachibowli, adjacent to the UoH campus, for commercial development has raised significant environmental concerns. This area, one of the city's last green spaces, supports over 455 species of flora and fauna, including vulnerable wildlife such as the Indian star tortoise. Environmentalists and students argue that the proposed development could lead to habitat loss, reduced biodiversity, and increased urban heat island effects, thereby disrupting the delicate ecological balance that has been maintained for centuries.

The Cost of Urban Expansion

The situation at UoH reflects a broader pattern observed throughout Hyderabad's outskirts, where rapid urbanisation and infrastructural projects have encroached upon natural habitats. Forests and biodiversity in Telangana have been shrinking due to various projects, including irrigation and road construction works undertaken after the formation of the state in 2014. Telangana was once known for its rich biological diversity, distributed across nine agro-climatic regions, with dense teak forests within the Godavari basin. The lack of meaningful efforts to protect existing forests and resurrect forests in forest lands has led to environmental challenges such as floods and water scarcity.

Student’s Quiet Grief for a Changing Campus

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Raghu Ghanapuram (@raghughanapuram)

​A Master's student in English who has been at the University of Hyderabad (UoH) for eight months shared their experiences and reflections on the campus's natural environment. They recounted, "As an introvert, I visited the Mushroom Rock only once. Now, with the ongoing developments, I regret not exploring the area more. Once my exams are over, I hope to visit whatever remains of the campus's natural beauty." The student highlighted the abundance of wildlife near the Mushroom Rock area, noting frequent sightings of deer and peacocks. They also mentioned the serene presence of lakes, particularly Buffalo Lake, as tranquil spots for observing various species. Expressing concern over recent land clearances in Kancha Gachibowli, the student emphasised the importance of preserving unique rock formations and green spaces integral to the campus's character. While acknowledging the efforts of student-led movements in advocating for environmental concerns, they noted the challenges in achieving substantial influence on policy changes. Additionally, the student appreciated the faculty's support, particularly from the teachers' union, in promoting awareness about the university's ecological heritage.

From Malabar Kund to Musi: Students Fight for Land, Water, and Voice

Akash Kumar, the Vice President of the University of Hyderabad Students’ Union, emphasised the deep-rooted environmental and social dimensions of the ongoing protests. “Everyone here loves Malabar Kund,” he said, referring to one of the campus’s most cherished water bodies. “But if this land goes, we won’t get it back—no refilling, no restoring. It's gone for good.” With a strong presence of Dalit, Bahujan, and Adivasi students in these efforts, connecting the movement to Ambedkarite politics and social justice frameworks, students deeply invested in projects like the Musi River rejuvenation and participating in broader climate action groups both within Hyderabad and across India. Akash also pointed to the involvement of prominent student figures in the current movement, most notably John Michael, a well-known student leader during the earlier phases of the Musi River rejuvenation efforts. Importantly, Akash acknowledged the active involvement of the Teachers’ Union, which has facilitated joint platforms with student groups and has reached out to lawyers and civil society organisations to amplify their cause and build legal resistance.

Many professors—particularly from the social sciences, humanities, and arts departments—have actively supported students by pausing lectures and encouraging critical dialogue about environmental justice, land dispossession, and the university’s ecological legacy.

This Land is Ours Too: Student Resistance Rooted in Social Justice 

The fight unfolding at the University of Hyderabad is more than a protest—it's a reclamation of space, identity, and memory. As bulldozers inch closer to one of the city’s last remaining green sanctuaries, students, faculty, and alumni stand as custodians of a fragile ecological and cultural legacy. It's no longer just about who gets to claim the land and its future. Their resistance is not merely to preserve trees or rocks but to challenge the narratives of unchecked development that erase both land and the people rooted in it.  Whether or not the land is saved, this movement marks a critical moment in Hyderabad’s history—where education, environment, and equity converge in collective defiance.