Walk, watch, wonder: Cityfolk connect with nature, one step at a time
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With city life growing busier by the day, Hyderabadis are finding respite in the quiet corners of nature. From lakeside birdwatching to biodiversity walks, weekend nature trails are steadily gaining traction across the city.
Organised walks — drawing school children, tech professionals, retirees and families alike — offer more than just a leisurely outing. They are slowly becoming an essential escape that fosters environmental awareness, promotes wellbeing, and builds a renewed sense of community around Hyderabad's green lungs.
A new rhythm to the weekend
In recent months, more residents are choosing to spend their weekends outdoors, with several citizen-led and government-supported nature walks being scheduled across the city.
While still niche, organisers note that the interest is growing — particularly among those looking for a mindful break from daily routines. 'Initially, we had about 15 to 20 participants. Now we often see up to 200 people joining us. It's heartening to witness this growing interest in exploring local ecosystems,' say Ajitha Maru and Mano Gyna Reddy, founders of the Kapra Lake Revival Group.
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A collective push for conservation
Environmental awareness has become a key pillar of these walks.
Participants often learn about conservation history, government efforts, and community-led campaigns working to preserve lakes and biodiversity hotspots. Sai Prakash, nature photographer and conservation advocate, shares: 'I've recorded more than 120 species at Kapra Lake alone. Earlier, turtles were being captured and sold illegally. These walks brought attention to the issue, and now these turtles are actively protected.
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Kobita Das, one of the founders of Nature Lovers of Hyderabad adds, 'Nature walks help people connect with the changing seasons and weather patterns. You begin to notice details — the way birds behave or a flower in bloom. Most importantly, they teach us to slow down and observe.'
These nature walks aim to show people how places like Kapra Lake have changed over the years — from nearly 112 acres to less than 70 acres. It's about creating awareness and encouraging collective action like what can be done to preserve it
– Ajitha Maru & Mano Gyna Reddy, founders of the Kapra Lake Revival Group
More than a walk in the park
These walks aren't just passive strolls — they offer participants an immersive learning experience.
From spotting native birds to identifying local trees and insects, walkers gain insight into the urban ecosystem.
'The nature walk scene in Hyderabad has grown significantly,' notes Pradeep Kumar Chinnaboina, founder of Wild
Telangana
and VWOLFS Foundation. 'Take Ameenpur Lake, for instance — it's home to nearly 290 recorded bird species. During our walks, we introduce participants to both common and migratory birds, helping them observe and appreciate the rich biodiversity right in our backyard.'
The trend is educational but also deeply personal for many. 'We're surrounded by so many birds in our daily lives, yet we rarely notice them. As someone who spends most of the day glued to my laptop, stepping into nature like this is a much-needed breath of fresh air,' says Deepak Acharya, a software engineer and regular walker.
These sessions go beyond forests — we talk about bird counting, sapling plantations, and even simple habits like gardening that make naturea part of everyday life'
– Sai Prakash, nature photographer and conservation advocate
Community, connection, and calm
In today's fast-paced world, finding moments of calm and genuine connection can be rare — but nature walks help fix that gap.
'There's been a growing interest since we began earlier this year, with families, students, and professionals joining to unwind on weekends,' says Suman Kalyanapu, Project Manager of Deccan Woods and Trails. 'Many corporate companies now organise nature-based team-building activities.
It gives IT employees a chance to step away from screens, connect with nature, and engage in meaningful collaboration,' adds Sai.
Benefits of walking in nature
l Improves cardiovascular health
l Reduces cortisol levels associated with stress
l Reduced mental health issues
l Improves quality of sleep
l Improves attention span
- According to a study by Harvard Medicine
- Divya Shree
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Time of India
3 days ago
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Walk, watch, wonder: Cityfolk connect with nature, one step at a time
1 2 3 4 With city life growing busier by the day, Hyderabadis are finding respite in the quiet corners of nature. From lakeside birdwatching to biodiversity walks, weekend nature trails are steadily gaining traction across the city. Organised walks — drawing school children, tech professionals, retirees and families alike — offer more than just a leisurely outing. They are slowly becoming an essential escape that fosters environmental awareness, promotes wellbeing, and builds a renewed sense of community around Hyderabad's green lungs. A new rhythm to the weekend In recent months, more residents are choosing to spend their weekends outdoors, with several citizen-led and government-supported nature walks being scheduled across the city. While still niche, organisers note that the interest is growing — particularly among those looking for a mindful break from daily routines. 'Initially, we had about 15 to 20 participants. Now we often see up to 200 people joining us. It's heartening to witness this growing interest in exploring local ecosystems,' say Ajitha Maru and Mano Gyna Reddy, founders of the Kapra Lake Revival Group. ' A collective push for conservation Environmental awareness has become a key pillar of these walks. Participants often learn about conservation history, government efforts, and community-led campaigns working to preserve lakes and biodiversity hotspots. Sai Prakash, nature photographer and conservation advocate, shares: 'I've recorded more than 120 species at Kapra Lake alone. Earlier, turtles were being captured and sold illegally. These walks brought attention to the issue, and now these turtles are actively protected. ' Kobita Das, one of the founders of Nature Lovers of Hyderabad adds, 'Nature walks help people connect with the changing seasons and weather patterns. You begin to notice details — the way birds behave or a flower in bloom. Most importantly, they teach us to slow down and observe.' These nature walks aim to show people how places like Kapra Lake have changed over the years — from nearly 112 acres to less than 70 acres. It's about creating awareness and encouraging collective action like what can be done to preserve it – Ajitha Maru & Mano Gyna Reddy, founders of the Kapra Lake Revival Group More than a walk in the park These walks aren't just passive strolls — they offer participants an immersive learning experience. From spotting native birds to identifying local trees and insects, walkers gain insight into the urban ecosystem. 'The nature walk scene in Hyderabad has grown significantly,' notes Pradeep Kumar Chinnaboina, founder of Wild Telangana and VWOLFS Foundation. 'Take Ameenpur Lake, for instance — it's home to nearly 290 recorded bird species. During our walks, we introduce participants to both common and migratory birds, helping them observe and appreciate the rich biodiversity right in our backyard.' The trend is educational but also deeply personal for many. 'We're surrounded by so many birds in our daily lives, yet we rarely notice them. As someone who spends most of the day glued to my laptop, stepping into nature like this is a much-needed breath of fresh air,' says Deepak Acharya, a software engineer and regular walker. These sessions go beyond forests — we talk about bird counting, sapling plantations, and even simple habits like gardening that make naturea part of everyday life' – Sai Prakash, nature photographer and conservation advocate Community, connection, and calm In today's fast-paced world, finding moments of calm and genuine connection can be rare — but nature walks help fix that gap. 'There's been a growing interest since we began earlier this year, with families, students, and professionals joining to unwind on weekends,' says Suman Kalyanapu, Project Manager of Deccan Woods and Trails. 'Many corporate companies now organise nature-based team-building activities. It gives IT employees a chance to step away from screens, connect with nature, and engage in meaningful collaboration,' adds Sai. Benefits of walking in nature l Improves cardiovascular health l Reduces cortisol levels associated with stress l Reduced mental health issues l Improves quality of sleep l Improves attention span - According to a study by Harvard Medicine - Divya Shree
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