Efforts on to rejuvenate Ananthagiri Hills

A unique exercise to rejuvenate the Ananthagiri Hills, barely 90 kms from the city, is to begin on Saturday with the TS Special Protection Force and the Hyderabad Birding Pals partnering in the initiative supported by the District Collector, Ranga Reddy. Some areas in the once beautiful Anantagiri Hills, a habitat for over 169 species of birds and other wild life, are now littered with plastic, trash and other refuse.

Ananthagiri Hills near Vikarabad in Ranga Reddy district is reckoned as the main water source for Osmansagar and Himayathsagar that feeds the state capital. It is considered as one of the densest forests in Telangana and is also the source of the Musi river. Because of its proximity to Hyderabad the hills are alive as a popular destination for trekking and adventure sports.

It is also considered one of the earliest human habitat areas in South India. Ancient caves, medieval fort like structures and an ancient temple showing the history of the area exist. With the arrival of seasonal migratory birds, following the onset of the monsoon, both groups are pledged to be involved in the cleaning up the periphery of the Ananthagiri Hills, protect nesting sites and spreading awareness among college goers and high school students about the hills ecosystem that harbors a wide variety of birds and other wild life, flora and fauna.

Among the species sighted in the Ananthagiri Hills are the Asian Paradise Flycatcher, Asian Brown Flycatcher, Tickell';s Blue Flycatcher, Black Naped Monarch, Yellow footed green pigeon, Mottled Wood Owl, Brown Fish Owl, Oriental White Eye, Indian Black Bird, Small Minivet, Coppersmith Barbet, Lesser Flameback Woodpecker, Rufous Treepie, Rose Ringed Parakeet, Plum Headed Parakeet, Brown-Capped Pigmy Woodpecker, Wood Shrike, Bay-backed Shrike, Ashy Prinia, Spotted Owlet, Plain Prinia, Golden Oriole, Common Iora, Painted Spurfowl, Grey Francolin, Button Quail, Jungle Babbler, Yellow-Billed Babber, Large Grey Babbler, White-Throated, Kingfisher, Grey Nightjar, Jungle Nightjar, Savannah Nightjar, and Indian Nightjar.

On the request of the Hyderabad Birding Pals who frequently visit the area to sight and take pictures of birds, the Collector, Ranga Reddy requested the TSSPF for help in getting the litter removed from certain tourist spots in the hills. The TSSPF was successful in the cleanup and tree plantation drive held at Ameenpur lake and the TSSPF Training Academy, nearby, on June 28.

On the request of the Collector, Ranga Reddy District, keeping in view of the success of the Ameenpur lake cleanup campaign, about 100 men of the TS Special Protection Force are participating in the endeavour to restore the hills ecosystem. “Our common goal is enriching the conservation system is to create conditions to welcome more birds to nest and feed in a cleaner ecosystem in the Ananthagiri Hills in the near future,” says the TSSPF Director General Tejdeep Kaur Menon.

Both groups are enlisting the support of other nature lovers to make the campaign a consistent effort. The groups can be contacted at [email protected], [email protected].