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सिंहावलोकन అవలోకనం
  • Dharmavana Nature Ark
  • Caring for 400 acres
  • Northeast of Hyderabad, India
  • Biodiversity Conservation
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The Dharmavana Nature Ark (DNA) conserves biodiversity across an ecosystem focused on the flora, funga and fauna of sub&tropical dry deciduous forests. We are situated in the heart of India just northeast of Hyderabad in the Yadadri‑Bhuvanagiri District of Telangana. We have been caring for over 400 acres of semi‑arid habitat since 2005 and enjoying every day!
Then and Now
The same DNA landscapes over the years
Dharmavana Nature Ark - DNA - The same DNA landscapes over the years - September 2007 Dharmavana Nature Ark - DNA - The same DNA landscapes over the years - October 2020
September 2007 October 2020
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Dharmavana Nature Ark - DNA - The same DNA landscapes over the years - December 2020 Dharmavana Nature Ark - DNA - The same DNA landscapes over the years - March 2011
March 2007 May 2023
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Dharmavana Nature Ark - DNA - The same DNA landscapes over the years - February 2006 Dharmavana Nature Ark - DNA - The same DNA landscapes over the years - November 2020
February 2006 November 2020
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Dharmavana Nature Ark - DNA - The same DNA landscapes over the years - March 2011 Dharmavana Nature Ark - DNA - The same DNA landscapes over the years - May 2023
March 2011 May 2023
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Degraded and fragmented forests have handicapped evolution's capacity to respond to climate change. While ongoing public sector plantations of a few dozen tree species are helpful to climate change, this practice leaves life's evolution kit at a deficit. Our expertise is in the conservation of increasingly uncommon, rare and endangered (RET) flora of the Deccan Plateau and Eastern Ghats with a focus on woody species (trees & shrubs) and the faunal and fungal associations they sustain. Our goal is to become an exemplary model of ecosystem restoration in India by reviving if not re‑building the essential, multifaceted relationships that replicate a 'wild' terrain. More than a lakh woody plants, complementary to native fauna and funga, serve as a refuge encompassing over a thousand species (established and in progress) across a few hundred genera. There is much more to do.
The DNA is a safe place for many species of Deccan fauna. Year by year, we can observe the robust rebound of an ecosystem on the mend. We also exhibit dry flora of other arid zones from around the world in our botanic gardens and arboretum.
An extensive collection of (sub)tropical dryland flora, both planted & undisturbed, is distributed across the DNA's 400 acres. What was once eroded pasture and wasteland is giving rise to a semi‑arid jungle ecosystem. See: DNA on Google Earth
The landscape itself is a pristine example of unspoilt Deccan Plateau geology and topography safeguarded for future generations to study and enjoy.
The DNA Association is an NGO that has been established as a "Section 8 Company" as per the guidelines of the Central Government of India. The DNA owns the land as outlined below that has been placed forevermore in the "natural domain" - a term we define as land that has been returned to Nature forevermore and is undergoing proper ecological restoration. Formerly we were a non-profit Society.

DNA on Google Earth

May 2023 [Compare 2008 and 2023]
Presently, the DNA provides the local community (Bhongir town and neighbouring villages) with all the benefits of a 'green lung', significant water conservation works, and welcomed youth employment.
Pictured is the Bhongir Town (also known as Bhuvanagiri). The Bhongir Fort lies atop a large batholith dome and is easily viewed from many vistas within the DNA.
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Ongoing scientific investigation assesses how best to manage and develop natural resources to promote ecological stability, to accommodate forest dwellers' rightful needs for equity and justice, to achieve sustainable development and address socio‑economic concerns, to do all that is required for the proper monitoring, evaluation, planning and inventory of natural ecosystems particularly with respect to climate change. All this is necessary to maintain the integrity of the few huge tracts of forest lands that remain so that these lands may not follow the trends of past centuries but instead are kept safe.
We believe that backup measures, such as the DNA, are nonetheless warranted to deliberately conserve the genetic diversity of many unsung species, especially those not studied due to a lack of interest, money, time, value, access, fascination, glamour, etc. The ecorestoration we do is crucial and time is of the essence.
The DNA's no‑holds‑barred approach is to be pro‑active now about securing any life forms a place where they can be kept safe and prosper so that they may participate in future ecosystem restoration efforts with valuable germplasm to supplement whatever is left and available later on. For some species this may not be much. The DNA is a living backup measure to be studied and enjoyed.
What is beautiful is the whole of it!  Please see the Slideshow.
All website pictures and sounds are from the DNA lands, resident wildlife and human activities thereon. 'Species of the Day' pictures are from the jungles of India except those of fauna all of which are from within the Dharmavana lands.
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Species of the Day    List 
Ficus benghalensis Faunal Database of over 500 species living in the Dharmavana.
Ficus benghalensis    more
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Former Website

Update: June 2, 2023

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