HyTiCoS launches ‘LUNGS’ project to shield Hyderabad’s green spaces
HYDERABAD: Building on last year’s successful citizen-led effort to save the Kancha Gachibowli forest, Hyderabad now sees a new environmental initiative with a clear mission to ensure every urban green space in the city has a ready, dedicated community to protect it from similar threats.
Led by the Hyderabad Tiger Conservation Society (HyTiCoS), the Last Urban Natural Green Spaces (LUNGS) of Hyderabad project seeks to strengthen the bond between citizens and Hyderabad’s rapidly vanishing natural ecosystems.
“ University of Hyderabad’s students stood up for Kancha Gachibowli because it was their campus. But what about the other hidden, vulnerable green patches across the city? People won’t know or care about them until they are threatened,” said Fariha Fatima, Event Coordinator with HyTiCoS. “Our intention is to build that connection before it’s too late, helping people realise the biodiversity that thrives in these ecosystems and why we need it, and to raise awareness to create a committed group ready to defend nature when needed.”
Launching with the Smallest Giants: An Ant Trail
To help people reconnect with nature, HyTiCoS is starting the LUNGS project with a guided walk called “On a Trail with Ants.” The event will be held at KBR Park, Banjara Hills, starting at the main gate on October 19 from 8:30 AM to 10:00 AM. Participants should arrive 10 minutes early for check-in.
Anyone interested in participating must contact HyTiCoS before the event to register and secure a spot, as group size may be limited. The walk will be led by Paul Antony, an ant expert and naturalist, who will explain the role of ants in the ecosystem and answer questions during the event.
The LUNGS project encourages people to notice the green areas that supply fresh air, support wildlife, and offer relief from city life. Highlighting ants’ roles in soil health and seed dispersal, the event shows that protecting nature begins with understanding even its smallest members.
The programme begins with the “Ant Trail” event, led by Paul Antony, a renowned ant expert and recent co-discoverer of a new species in the Western Ghats.
“The ant focus is intentional. Just as urban forests are often ignored, ants are unseen ecosystem engineers,” Fatima said. “They are underestimated, like our green patches. We want people to look beyond tigers and see the vital role these small organisms play.”
Participants will learn about the complex social structures of ant colonies, their advanced nest-building methods, and how Hyderabad’s trading history has contributed to the presence of both native and invasive ant species, added Fatima.
“This is about learning to appreciate the small things,” Fatima added. “We urge everyone to participate. When you join us to explore the world of ants, you begin to see the entire ecosystem with new eyes. That’s the connection we want to build with our urban forests. Get involved and help us protect what remains.”
The team also plans to map Hyderabad’s remaining urban natural spaces, focusing on ecosystems that have developed alongside the city, not just landscaped parks. They aim to build a citizen network to help document these areas and create a database of local species. This information will support conservation efforts by demonstrating ecological value. The project will also offer regular exploratory trails to help the community understand the importance of these green spaces.
