The Quli Qutb Shahi Heritage Park spread over 108 acres is comprised of a vast range of habitats mapping more than 3,000 flora and 52 varieties of fauna has thrown light on availability of some of the rarest species in the city.
The Quli Qutb Shah Archaeological Park, comprising of the Qutb Shahi Tombs Complex and Deccan Park, is one of the most significant medieval necropolises with 70 structures. Besides being the most significant heritage site in Hyderabad, is a large single green space with over 100 acres of greenery.
According to Project director Nanda “For the first time in the last 400 years one can see the Idgah in its original grandeur, the ancient place of worship is fast regaining its past glory. By next month it will be ready for the worshippers to pray in an ambience reminiscent of the Qutb Shahi era”.
Thanks to Aga Khan Trust for Culture which has undertaken the project for conservation and landscape restoration of Qutb Shahi Heritage Park in Hyderabad and ensured the conservation of the 72 monuments that stand in the complex as well as environmental conservation.
They include 40 mausoleums, 23 mosques, five step-wells/water structures, a `hamam`, pavilions, garden structures and enclosure walls built during the reign of Qutb Shahi dynasty that ruled the Hyderabad region for 170 years during 16th and 17th centuries.
There are some birds such as parakeets which nest in the masonry and for which we will create nesting boxes prior to filling in the masonry holes created by the birds.” “Many of the monuments have bird spaces created by the original builders in the 16thcentury and thus birds have been part of the site for centuries – there is no concern of damage to the structures unless feeding pigeons becomes a habit,” said the director.
According to Botanist, “The mapping of trees manually has been a great journey. The trees were mapped manually covering aspects like size of canopy, width of girth, height, species and nativity. One can also see a large number of Maredu or Bael which were part of the Hyderabadi Tehzeeb, but unfortunately there are not many existing in the city.
The complex is also home to lot many birds like Tickell’s blue flycatcher, Indian robin, oriental white eye, yellow wagtail, small minivet and common hawk-cuckoo and many others.” A self-taught botanist said, “The area has turned into an urban forest where chiefly scrub and southern trop deciduous type of vegetation can be seen.