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.

Biodiversity Committee

link

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

Biodiversity @SIU

Biodiversity recorded so fary

Fauna

Taxonomic group	No. of Species
Birds	160
Mammals	12
Reptiles	26
Amphibians	7
Butterflies	50

Flora

Taxonomic group	No. of Species
Trees	123
Shrubs	54
Herbs	107
Climbers	39
Cryptogams	15

To see what is being documented on the campus

To view the latest additions to the bird diversity on the campus:

Know More

Observations of trees and insects on the campus:

Know More

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.

45+

Species of butterflies

22+

Types of dragonflies & damselflies

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.

30M+

Litres of freshwater

White-eyed Buzzard (Butastur teesa) by Viren Narvekar, SIT

Indian Spot-billed duck (Anas poecilorhyncha) by Sarthak Agrawal, SSVAP. A dabbling duck commonly seen at the Lavale campus waterbody.

Water body Vegetation

Water body in Symbiosis University Campus

Pied Kingfisher (Ceryle rudis) Keyur Bhatt, SSP. An uncommon bird at the waterbody of Lavale campus.

Little Cormorant (Microcarbo niger) by Kaustubh Kamat, SSBF

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 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.

SSBF students on Tree Walk to learn to identify trees in February 2022
SSBS & SSBF Biodiversity Club students on a Nature walk in October 2021
Students of Biodiversity Club at Bandhara- Eco sensitive area in the campus understanding wetlands and birds.
SIBM-P students on Nature walk in December 2021
Great Back Yard Bird Count Event in February 2022
SIDTM and SSVAP students on Nature walk, understanding grasslands in the campus in November 2021
Dr. Rajani Gupte, Vice Chancellor observing wetland birds through spotting scope at Bandhara - December 2021
SSBS, SIHS, SCCCS students and staff observing birds at the Bandhara in March 2024
SSBS, SSVAP, SIHS, SCWRM and SCCCS students and staff at the Bandhara during the Great Backyard Bird Count/Campus Bird Count in February 2024

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.