Symbiosis International (Deemed) University is conscious of the adverse aspects of development and benefits of ecological diversity for the sustainable development of human beings and especially for educational Institutions. Being one of the top progressive Universities in India, SIU lays a strong emphasis on building responsibility for all to conserve and enhance the biodiversity landscape. As a part of this initiative, the University has established a University Biodiversity Committee to nurture biodiversity, create awareness through education, foster the spirit of respect for nature amidst human interaction with environment and ensure conservation of key site areas of the University campus and various Constituent Institute/ Departments of Symbiosis.
The cell has been established to study, collect data and document all biodiversity conservation related matters in 350 acres of the University’s campus and surrounding areas.
'Fauna of Symbiosis International University', a pictorial field guide has been published in July 2018. 191 species of birds, butterflies, reptiles, amphibians and mammals documented at University, Lavale campus are documented in the book. The copies of the book are available for sale in the University’s Central Library.
Shri Siddhanta Das, Director General of Forest and Special Secretary, Ministry of Environment Forest and Climate Change, Government of India, Dr. Vidya Yeravdekar, Pro Chancellor, SIU, Dr. S.B. Mujumdar, Chancellor, SIU, Dr. Rajani Gupte, Vice Chancellor, SIU
University Biodiversity Committee members Dr. Gurudas Nulkar, Dr. Prakash Rao and Shilpa Avate with Shri Siddhanta Das, Director General of Forest and Special Secretary, Ministry of Environment Forest and Climate Change, Government of India, Dr. Vidya Yeravdekar, Pro Chancellor, SIU, Dr. S.B. Mujumdar, Chancellor, SIU
Dr. Rajani Gupte, Vice Chancellor, SIU during book release function on July 4, 2018.
The University has developed three butterfly gardens at its Lavale campus in 2018 under the guidance of Butterfly man and a Moth lady of India, Isaac Kehimkar and Dr. Shubhalaxmi.
Saplings of more than 2000 food plants and nectar plants are planted at these three sites. Around 45 species of butterflies, many types of moth and 22 types of dragonflies & damselflies are seen around butterfly garden area.
Student members of Biodiversity Cell are involved in regular documentation of flora and fauna and various conservation activities on the campus.
Students of Biodiversity Club at Bandhara- Eco sensitive area in the campus understanding wetlands and birds.
Dr. Rajani Gupte, Vice Chancellor observing wetland birds through spotting scope at Bandhara - December 2021
SIBM-P students on Nature walk in December 2021
SIDTM and SSVAP students on Nature walk, understanding grasslands in the campus in November 2021
SSBS & SSBF Biodiversity Club students on a Nature walk in October 2021
Great Back Yard Bird Count Event in February 2022
SSBF students on Tree Walk to learn to identify trees in February 2022
The Lavale campus has built two Bandharas (water storage reservoirs) of total storage capacity of about 30,000,000 litres of freshwater. Eco restoration along the banks of the Bandharas has been carried out and several aquatic vegetation have been introduced. Big rocks added at the banks to attract birds to perch on.
Biodiversity Cell organise Sunday Special Series where eminent personalities, researchers, conservationists, grass root workers in wildlife are invited to interact with students and staff.
Areendran Gopala 
Varad Giri 
Dr. Harini Nagendra 
Neelima Vallangi 
Adithi Muralidhar 
Sarika Khanwilkar 
Kunal Shah 
Zoya Taybji 
Dr. Kiran Ranadive 
Dr. Anand Padhye 
Rohan Chakravarty 
Dr. Rani Bhagat With the assistance of constituent Institutes/ Departments, the Biodiversity cell hosts conferences on wildlife and conservation
Poster presented in the Bird Monitoring Conference in February 2021
Poster Presented in Students Conference in Conservation Sciences in September 2021
Contact details:
Miss. Shilpa Avate,
Biodiversity Officer, SIU
Telephone: 020 28116246/ 9623122001
Email: biodiversitycell@siu.edu.in, shilpa.avate@siu.edu.in
Biodiversity Committee
