(Featured image courtesy Cornell (L) and India Today (R))

Have you ever walked through a forest that sings with birdsong and hums with quiet life, right in the heart of a bustling city?

Tucked beside the University of Hyderabad lies Kancha Gachibowli — a serene green expanse known for its rich biodiversity, age-old trees, and quiet trails. For decades, this patch of forest has not only been a sanctuary for wildlife but also a living classroom and place of solace for students, researchers, and local residents alike.

A quiet forest in the middle of the city

Spread across a large area adjoining the university campus, this forested region is a vibrant ecosystem. With Hyderabad rapidly expanding into a concrete jungle, spaces like Kancha Gachibowli offer a rare and vital contrast: old-growth trees, natural grasslands, and undisturbed terrain that breathe life into the urban landscape.

In recent weeks, the area has come under the public eye due to discussions about proposed development, including the construction of a new road that may pass through this ecologically sensitive zone. While conversations continue, it’s an opportunity to pause and reflect on what makes this place special and why spaces like these matter now more than ever.

What lives here? A glimpse into local biodiversity

Did you know that over 700 species of flowering plants have been documented here? The forest is alive with colour in every season, from subtle orchids to flamboyant flame-of-the-forest blooms.

© The Better India