Sacred Hills Hit 89% Forest Cover in India Conservation Win

The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams has transformed 89.40% of the Seshachalam Hills into thriving forest, proving that faith and environmental stewardship can work hand in hand.

The temple trust oversees 2,719 hectares of sacred land in southern India, where 2,431 hectares now flourish with forest vegetation. Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu celebrated the milestone, noting that protecting forests aligns perfectly with Indian traditions that regard nature itself as sacred.

The transformation didn't happen overnight. The TTD Forest Department has been protecting these hills since 1980, working across four forest ranges under expert supervision.

Now they're taking conservation even further with an ambitious native species restoration program. Across 576 hectares, workers are replacing non-native Acacia plantations with indigenous trees like sandalwood, red sanders, peepal, banyan, mango, and jamun trees. Special nurseries in all four ranges grow saplings specifically for this effort, with 22 hectares already complete.

The forest protection program goes beyond just planting trees. Teams maintain 26.5 kilometers of fire lines every year to prevent devastating wildfires. Round-the-clock flying squads patrol the area to stop illegal tree cutting and poaching before they can damage the ecosystem.

These restored forests now shelter elephants, leopards, bears, and snakes in their natural habitat. To keep wildlife and humans safe, the department arranges water sources throughout the forest during hot summer months, reducing conflicts when thirsty animals might otherwise wander into villages.

The Ripple Effect

The conservation work creates benefits that reach far beyond the forest itself. The healthy ecosystem supplies sandalwood logs, firewood, and sacred grass for ancient temple rituals, connecting spiritual practices with environmental care. Three snake rescue teams stay ready near temple areas where millions of pilgrims gather each year.

The department also maintains 24 kilometers of road dividers and 25 gardens in nearby communities. Current projects include medicinal plant gardens and a timber plantation created with the Wildlife Institute of India to further reduce human-wildlife conflicts.

This success story shows how traditional values and modern conservation science can work together. Protecting these sacred hills preserves habitat for future generations of both wildlife and the people who revere them.