At the base of the Seshachalam hills, IISER Tirupati’s vibrant naturalist community is continually exploring its environs.

 

Tirupati Biodiversity Programme

The Tirupati Biodiversity Programme arose out of a series of activities conducted from 2016 onwards, with momentum growing thanks to the enthusiastic naturalist community on campus. Being located in the backyard of the Eastern Ghats allows for continued engagement throughout the year, and what started as nature walks and exploration has grown into a program with three main focus areas - Awareness, Skill-building and Discovery.

While a large part of our activities is focused around the Tirupati region, we work across the state of Andhra Pradesh, especially in the Eastern Ghats.

Awareness

We bring attention to the landscape and highlight life in our backyards through dialogue and demonstration. We conduct multiple events, create posters and flyers, articles on our website, and nature walks and events.

Skill-building

We work with multiple stakeholders, educators, managers and administrators to intention to inform and educate. We focus on identifying local biodiversity and how ecological data collection and research can be done. We also share best practices for educators to ensure that this knowledge filters down to their students.

Discovery

We are a group of researchers who conduct multiple projects across India, studying diverse taxa. In the Eastern Ghats, we have research projects addressing squirrels, birds, and their habitat. In addition, we encourage class projects in the region, and actively get students to observe the biodiversity around them.

Team

  • Raja Sekhar Bandi, Citizen Science Program Coordinator, IISER Tirupati

  • Dr. Robin VV, Assistant Professor, IISER Tirupati

  • Dr. Nandini Rajamani, Assistant Professor, IISER Tirupati

  • Aravind P S, Researcher, IISER Tirupati

  • Senan D’Souza, Researcher, IISER Tirupati

    Website interns:
    Aditya Panigrahy, Aparna C, Dev Bagdi, Faizee Ali Khan, Gunjan Karnwal, Parth SM, Tejaswini Venkatramanan

Social Media handles:
Instagram- Harsha Kumar, Vinay K L

Twitter- Dr. Nandini Rajamani

The trap door spider hides out in it's little burrow underground and strikes at prey when they least expect it! This one is from the forests of Seshachalam. Trap Door Spider Seshachalam Biosphere reserve, Tirupati October 2021 Photo by : @ashwin_l
The trap door spider hides out in it's little burrow underground and strikes at prey when they least expect it! This one is from the forests of Seshachalam. Trap Door Spider Seshachalam Biosphere reserve, Tirupati October 2021 Photo by : @ashwin_laughingthrush #spidersofinstagram #spiders #spider #macroshots #macro #macroworld_tr #macromood #macro_brilliance #macrophotography #trapdoor #stealth #spidey #natgeo #animalplanet #bbc #natgeoyourshot #wildlife_ap #tirupatibiodiversity
The tropical Sundew (Drosera burmannii) is an insectivorous plant that is only 2cm in diameter and is widely distributed. It's incredibly easy to miss if you weren't watching closely. Madamala grasslands, Tirupati September 2021 Photo by : @meeting
The tropical Sundew (Drosera burmannii) is an insectivorous plant that is only 2cm in diameter and is widely distributed. It's incredibly easy to miss if you weren't watching closely. Madamala grasslands, Tirupati September 2021 Photo by : @meetingmysticalcreatures @spilornis_n and Dr. Ramesh Sonti #macro #macroworld_tr #macro_brilliance #macroshots #macromood #sundew #insectivorousplant #insectivorous #drosera #droseraburmannii #easternghats #tirupati #wildlife_ap #tirupatibiodiversity #sciuridlab #plantsofindia #plants #flowers #plantsofinstagram #flowerstagram
We pick things off right where we left them. Orchids! Here is a Grey Orchid (Vanda tessellata) which is distributed in the Indian subcontinent. It is an epiphytic plant with thick succulent leaves and grows on trees. This was one easily 6-7m off the
We pick things off right where we left them. Orchids! Here is a Grey Orchid (Vanda tessellata) which is distributed in the Indian subcontinent. It is an epiphytic plant with thick succulent leaves and grows on trees. This was one easily 6-7m off the ground and was in bloom. Dargah, Tirupati September 2021 Photo by @meetingmysticalcreatures #orchids #epiphyte #orchidslovers #orchidflower #orchidsofinstagram #orchidsofindia #flowersofindia #flowersofinstagram #beautiful #bamboothickets #seshachalam #tirupati #easternghats #wildlife_ap #tirupatibiodiversity #weekend #exploring
Roxburgh's Habenaria (Habenaria roxburghii) is a tuberous ground orchid with pure white flowers arranged in long dense clusters with two large leaves at the base of the inflorescence. The flowering usually happens in August-September and lasts a week
Roxburgh's Habenaria (Habenaria roxburghii) is a tuberous ground orchid with pure white flowers arranged in long dense clusters with two large leaves at the base of the inflorescence. The flowering usually happens in August-September and lasts a week or two. It was initially described from Hassan, Karnataka and has now been recorded in parts of Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. Local Telugu name : Chekku dumpa Mamanduru forest, Tirupati September 2019 Photo by : @meetingmysticalcreatures and @viral_a_joshi #orchids #habenaria #groundorchid #orchidsofinstagram #orchidsofindia #flowersofindia #flowersofinstagram #beautiful #bamboothickets #seshachalam #tirupati #easternghats #wildlife_ap #tirupatibiodiversity #weekend #exploring
Spot billed Pelican (Pelecanus philippensis) is a species of pelican listed as Near threatened by the IUCN due to loss of habitat. However, Tirupati is blessed to have a good population of these birds visiting lakes close to human habitation. Have yo
Spot billed Pelican (Pelecanus philippensis) is a species of pelican listed as Near threatened by the IUCN due to loss of habitat. However, Tirupati is blessed to have a good population of these birds visiting lakes close to human habitation. Have you seen one? Let us know in the comments below. Reef Egret Lake, Tirupati January 2020 Photo by : @meetingmysticalcreatures #Birds #ig_birds #wildlife_perfection #birds_captures #animals_in_world #your_best_birds #ig_great_shots #birds_adored #waycoolshots #bns_birds #nuts_about_birds #best_birds_of_ig #allmightybirds #birds_brilliance #nature_wizards #worldbestgram #ig_great_shots #kings_birds #eXclusive_animals #planetbirds #nuts_about_birds #feather_perfection #bestbirdshots #animalelite #planetbirds #igbirds #your_best_birds #eye_spy_birds #yourshotphotographer #wildlife_ap #tirupatibiodiversity
Tickells blue flycatcher, Kapilatheertham, Tirupati Photo by @the_mallubong #tirupati #tickellsblueflycatcher #tirupatibiodiversity #kapilatheertham #junglebook #birdsoftheworld #birdsofasia #birdsofindiansubcontinent #ebird #birdsofsoutheastasia #
Tickells blue flycatcher, Kapilatheertham, Tirupati Photo by @the_mallubong #tirupati #tickellsblueflycatcher #tirupatibiodiversity #kapilatheertham #junglebook #birdsoftheworld #birdsofasia #birdsofindiansubcontinent #ebird #birdsofsoutheastasia #birds #birdsofinstagram #birdphotography #birdbrilliance #birdingphotography #birdfreaks #wildanimals #wildliifephotography #nationalgeographic #naturephotography #easternghats
Streak throated woodpecker male, Kalyani Dam, Andhra Pradesh Photo by @the_mallubong #birdsofinsta #birdsofsoutheastasia #woodpecker #birdsofindiansubcontinent #birdsofindia #kalyanidam #wildanimals #wildlifephotos #andhrapradesh #easternghats #wil
Streak throated woodpecker male, Kalyani Dam, Andhra Pradesh Photo by @the_mallubong #birdsofinsta #birdsofsoutheastasia #woodpecker #birdsofindiansubcontinent #birdsofindia #kalyanidam #wildanimals #wildlifephotos #andhrapradesh #easternghats #wildlifeofandhra #natgeowildlife #birdbrilliance #birdsoftheworld #birding_photography #photooftheday #photography #bird_perfection #birdfreaks #sanctuaryasia #tirupatidiaries #tirupatibiodiversity #tirumala
Indian paradise flycatcher, Kapilatheertham, Tirupati Photo by @the_mallubong #tirupati #paradiseflycatcher #flycatcher #tirupatibiodiversity #kapilatheertham #junglebook #birdsoftheworld #birdsofasia #birdsofindiansubcontinent #ebird #birdsofsouth
Indian paradise flycatcher, Kapilatheertham, Tirupati Photo by @the_mallubong #tirupati #paradiseflycatcher #flycatcher #tirupatibiodiversity #kapilatheertham #junglebook #birdsoftheworld #birdsofasia #birdsofindiansubcontinent #ebird #birdsofsoutheastasia #birds #birdsofinstagram #birdphotography #birdbrilliance #birdingphotography #birdfreaks #wildanimals #wildliifephotography #nationalgeographic #naturephotography #easternghats
Crested Serpent Eagle, Mamanduru, Andhra Pradesh Photo by @the_mallubong #tirupati #crestedserpenteagle #eagle #tirupatibiodiversity #mamanduru #raptors #raptortalons #birdsofprey #birdsoftheworld #birdsofasia #birdsofindiansubcontinent #ebird #bir
Crested Serpent Eagle, Mamanduru, Andhra Pradesh Photo by @the_mallubong #tirupati #crestedserpenteagle #eagle #tirupatibiodiversity #mamanduru #raptors #raptortalons #birdsofprey #birdsoftheworld #birdsofasia #birdsofindiansubcontinent #ebird #birdsofsoutheastasia #birds #birdsofinstagram #birdphotography #birdbrilliance #birdingphotography #birdfreaks #wildanimals #wildliifephotography #nationalgeographic #naturephotography #easternghats
The Painted Spurfowl (Galloperdix lunulata) is a bird of the pheasant family and is found in scrubby rock jungles of peninsular India. They are generally very shy and take off at the first sign of danger or human presence. They are however highly voc
The Painted Spurfowl (Galloperdix lunulata) is a bird of the pheasant family and is found in scrubby rock jungles of peninsular India. They are generally very shy and take off at the first sign of danger or human presence. They are however highly vocal and generally hang out in pairs in dense understory. This individual was sighted in a walking park and has become extremely bold and allows people to approach from close distances. Jungle Book, Kapilateertham Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh March 16th 2021 Photo by : @meetingmysticalcreatures #birds #bird #birdingdaily #birding #kings_birds_ #feather_perfection #birdphotography #birdsofinstagram #birdsofindia #birdsoftirupati #bird_brilliance #birding_lounge #birdwatchers_daily #natgeoyourshot #elite_birds #tirupatibirding #tirupati #tirupatibiodiversity #wildlife_ap #natgeo #bbc #animalplanet #lockdownbirding #beautiful #scrubforests #scrub #seshachalam #junglebook #sciuridlab
Black Breasted Weaver (Ploceus benghalensis) male constructing a nest in the reeds. We were able to sight as many as seven nests in a small reed patch and see several males and a few females around. Males of all weavers are known to develop intense c
Black Breasted Weaver (Ploceus benghalensis) male constructing a nest in the reeds. We were able to sight as many as seven nests in a small reed patch and see several males and a few females around. Males of all weavers are known to develop intense colours, aggregate together and advertise to females during the breeding season. The females are known to choose mates at least partially based on nest quality. Did you know that males of most weavers decorate their nests with colorful flowers just like the Bower birds of Australia? Yerpedu, Tirupati August 30th 2020. Photo by : @meetingmysticalcreatures, @bird_biochemist #birds #ig_birds #wildlife_perfection #birds_captures #animals_in_world #your_best_birds #ig_great_shots #birds_adored #waycoolshots #bns_birds #nuts_about_birds #best_birds_of_ig #allmightybirds #birds_brilliance #nature_wizards #worldbestgram #ig_great_shots #kings_birds #eXclusive_animals #planetbirds #nuts_about_birds #feather_perfection #bestbirdshots #animalelite #planetbirds #igbirds #your_best_birds #eye_spy_birds #yourshotphotographer #wildlife_ap #tirupatibiodiversity #grasslands
The Dhole/Asiatic Wildlife Dog (Cuon alpinus) resting and having a drink from a small puddle! The exact location of the sighting will not been disclosed as it is an endangered species requiring conservation measures. Seshachalam Biosphere Reserve, M
The Dhole/Asiatic Wildlife Dog (Cuon alpinus) resting and having a drink from a small puddle! The exact location of the sighting will not been disclosed as it is an endangered species requiring conservation measures. Seshachalam Biosphere Reserve, March 2021 Photo by : @meetingmysticalcreatures , @the_rkm #mammalsofindia #mammals #mammalsofinstagram #canidae #natgeo #bbc #animalplanet #discovery #natgeowild #nature #animals #wildlifephotography #conservation #wildlife_perfection #naturelover #sciuridlab #wildlife_ap #tirupatibiodiversity #dhole #cute #rarebeauty #seshachalam #tirupati
The trap door spider hides out in it's little burrow underground and strikes at prey when they least expect it! This one is from the forests of Seshachalam. Trap Door Spider Seshachalam Biosphere reserve, Tirupati October 2021 Photo by : @ashwin_l The tropical Sundew (Drosera burmannii) is an insectivorous plant that is only 2cm in diameter and is widely distributed. It's incredibly easy to miss if you weren't watching closely. Madamala grasslands, Tirupati September 2021 Photo by : @meeting We pick things off right where we left them. Orchids! Here is a Grey Orchid (Vanda tessellata) which is distributed in the Indian subcontinent. It is an epiphytic plant with thick succulent leaves and grows on trees. This was one easily 6-7m off the Roxburgh's Habenaria (Habenaria roxburghii) is a tuberous ground orchid with pure white flowers arranged in long dense clusters with two large leaves at the base of the inflorescence. The flowering usually happens in August-September and lasts a week Spot billed Pelican (Pelecanus philippensis) is a species of pelican listed as Near threatened by the IUCN due to loss of habitat. However, Tirupati is blessed to have a good population of these birds visiting lakes close to human habitation. Have yo Tickells blue flycatcher, Kapilatheertham, Tirupati Photo by @the_mallubong #tirupati #tickellsblueflycatcher #tirupatibiodiversity #kapilatheertham #junglebook #birdsoftheworld #birdsofasia #birdsofindiansubcontinent #ebird #birdsofsoutheastasia # Streak throated woodpecker male, Kalyani Dam, Andhra Pradesh Photo by @the_mallubong #birdsofinsta #birdsofsoutheastasia #woodpecker #birdsofindiansubcontinent #birdsofindia #kalyanidam #wildanimals #wildlifephotos #andhrapradesh #easternghats #wil Indian paradise flycatcher, Kapilatheertham, Tirupati Photo by @the_mallubong #tirupati #paradiseflycatcher #flycatcher #tirupatibiodiversity #kapilatheertham #junglebook #birdsoftheworld #birdsofasia #birdsofindiansubcontinent #ebird #birdsofsouth Crested Serpent Eagle, Mamanduru, Andhra Pradesh Photo by @the_mallubong #tirupati #crestedserpenteagle #eagle #tirupatibiodiversity #mamanduru #raptors #raptortalons #birdsofprey #birdsoftheworld #birdsofasia #birdsofindiansubcontinent #ebird #bir The Painted Spurfowl (Galloperdix lunulata) is a bird of the pheasant family and is found in scrubby rock jungles of peninsular India. They are generally very shy and take off at the first sign of danger or human presence. They are however highly voc Black Breasted Weaver (Ploceus benghalensis) male constructing a nest in the reeds. We were able to sight as many as seven nests in a small reed patch and see several males and a few females around. Males of all weavers are known to develop intense c The Dhole/Asiatic Wildlife Dog (Cuon alpinus) resting and having a drink from a small puddle! The exact location of the sighting will not been disclosed as it is an endangered species requiring conservation measures. Seshachalam Biosphere Reserve, M
 
 

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