Biodiversity
University Biodiversity committee:
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.
University Biodiversity Cell
The Symbiosis Centre for Climate Change and Sustainability documents biodiversity and conducts all biodiversity awareness and conservation related activities in 350 acres of the University’s campus and in other Symbiosis campuses.
Notification
Biodiversity CommitteeBiodiversity @SIU
Biodiversity recorded so far:
Fauna:
| Taxonomic group | Birds | Mammals | Reptiles | Amphibians | Butterflies |
| No. of Species | 160 | 12 | 26 | 7 | 50 |
Flora:
| Taxonomic group | Trees | Shrubs | Herbs | Climbers | Cryptogams |
| No. of Species | 123 | 54 | 107 | 39 | 15 |
TO SEE WHAT IS BEING DOCUMENTED ON THE CAMPUS
To view the latest additions to the bird diversity on the campus:
https://ebird.org/india/hotspot/L4277624Observations of trees and insects on the campus:
https://www.inaturalist.org/people/symbiosis_university_biodiversity
Activities
Books
'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.
OTHER BOOKS ON BIODIVERSITY:
Nature’s Wonders at Symbiosis – Flora at University Campus
Singing Rocks: at Symbiosis International University Campus, Pune
(These books can be issued or purchased from the university library.)
Butterfly Garden
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.
Signage Board in the Butterfly Garden in the Lavale Campus
Striped Tiger Butterfly in the Butterfly Garden
Common Crow (Euploea core) by Nivedita Moorthy, SSVAP
Blue Tiger (Tirumala limniace) by Nivedita Moorthy, SSVAP
Student Biodiversity Club
Student members of Biodiversity Cell are involved in regular documentation of flora and fauna and various conservation activities on the campus. As a part of the Biodiversity Club, we frequently conduct nature trails, participate in competitions like the Kirloskar Vasundhara Green College Clean College and conduct events like the Campus Bird Count and Campus Phenology Network.
To join the SIU Biodiversity Club Whatsapp group contact the number given below.
BIODIVERSITY CLUB ACTIVITIES:
Biodiversity activities for the academic year 2022-2023:
- Nature trail with SSBF students (25th July 2022) The idea of the walk was to make the students of SSBF observe and appreciate the natural beauty and see it from their own angle and also document it simultaneously. The walk was followed by a discussion on the flora and fauna seen.
- Nature trail with SSBF students (11th September 2022)
- Nature trail at bandhara followed by discussions.
- Lecture on Citizen Science at SSBF (29th November 2022) The lecture started with briefing the students about the history and background of citizen science, where it originated and what is the current trend around it. Various such projects in India were explained to the students.
- Seasonwatch's visit to campus (9th December 2022) Seasonwatch team member along with the Biodiversity Cell documented various tree species on campus.
- Bird walk with SSBF students (17th December 2022) The SSBF participants saw a total of 27 species of birds at the hill top campus.
- Kirloskar Vasundhara Green College Clean College (January 2023) Green College, Clean College is a participatory movement that will help transform college campuses to use natural resources with maximum efficiency, while generating minimal waste of any type. Data related to environmental consciousness on campus was collected by a team of Eco Rangers along with teacher representatives.
- Great Backyard Bird Count and Campus Bird Count (February 2023) A global event at documenting bird around us. Nature trails conducted for students at different locations on the campus. Around 40 species of birds were sighted on campus during the event.
SSBS, SSVAP, SIHS, SCWRM and SCCCS students and staff at the Bandhara during the Great Backyard Bird Count/Campus Bird Count in February 2024
SSBS, SIHS, SCCCS students and staff observing birds at the Bandhara in March 2024
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
Water body restoration
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.
White-eyed Buzzard (Butastur teesa) by Viren Narvekar, SIT
Water body Vegetation
Water body in Symbiosis University Campus
Indian Spot-billed duck (Anas poecilorhyncha) by Sarthak Agrawal, SSVAP. A dabbling duck commonly seen at the Lavale campus waterbody.
Pied Kingfisher (Ceryle rudis) Keyur Bhatt, SSP. An uncommon bird at the waterbody of Lavale campus.
Little Cormorant (Microcarbo niger) by Kaustubh Kamat, SSBF
Education and Awareness
Biodiversity Cell organise Sunday Special Series where eminent personalities, researchers, conservationists, grass root workers in wildlife are invited to interact with students and staff.
- Biodiversity Inductions (From July to September 2022) Biodiversity Inductions at SSBS, SIT, SSCA, SIHS, SCMS, SSIS, SSBF. The Induction consists of introducing the students to the biodiversity present on the campus and making them aware of the possible nature encounters that they will have in the tenure of their course at Symbiosis Lavale campus.
- Faculty Development Programme on Techno-pedagogy and Andragogy for Active Learning (TAAL) (December 2022 and January 2023) Participants were introduced to the general biodiversity of the campus and the activities of the biodiversity cell were explained. Nature trail was conducted for the participants at the hill top campus.
- ACWADAM-UNICEF Youth Engagement and Water Stewardship Program (17th February 2023) SIU's participation in this programme aims at sensitizing the youth about water conservation and forming green clubs at college level.
Areendran Gopala Oct 4, 2020
Varad Giri Nov 8, 2020
Dr. Harini Nagendra Dec 13, 2020
Neelima Vallangi Jan 31, 2021
Adithi Muralidhar March 14, 2021
Sarika Khanwilkar May 9, 2021
Kunal Shah July 25, 2021
Zoya Taybji September 05, 2021
Dr. Kiran Ranadive October 17, 2021
Dr. Anand Padhye December 19, 2021
Rohan Chakravarty January 09, 2022
Dr. Rani Bhagat January 30, 2022
Conferences/ Workshops
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:
Mr. Avishkar Munje
Research Assistant
Symbiosis Centre for Climate Change and Sustainability (SCCCS)
Telephone: 9823632461
Email: biodiversitycell@siu.edu.in
Website: https://scccs.siu.edu.in
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