Telangana State is known for its rich heritage in biological diversity distributed in 9 agro climatic regions. Among the flora, the state harbours a total of 2,800 taxa belonging to 1,051 genera under 185 families. This accounts for 16% of the Angiosperms known from India. Of these, 2,071 species belonging to 150 families and 796 genera are Dicotyledons and 729 species belonging to 255 genera and 35 families are Monocotyledons.
Among the fauna, Telangana State is rich with 108 species of mammals that include Tiger, Leopard, Sloth Bear, Giant Squirrel, Hyena, Fox, Wild Dog, Wild Boar, Indian Bison(Gaur), Spotted Deer, Barking Deer, Black Buck, Four-horned Antelope, Blue Bull, Sambar, Mouse Deer, Honey Badger, Civets,Jungle Cats, Otter, Pangolin, Bats, Tree Shrew, Common Langur,etc.
Key Components of Biodiversity of Telangana State |
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| Category | No. of Species / Varieties | |
| PLANTS | ||
| Total plant species | 2800 |  |
| Plants used in traditional medicine | 1800 | |
| Rice (Vadlu) | 150 | |
| Jowar (Jonnalu) | 75 | |
| Bornyard millets (Odalu) | 5 | |
| Italian millets (Korralu) | 10 | |
| Little millets (Samalu) | 7 | |
| Kodo millets (Arikelu) | 10 | |
| Pearl millets (Sajjalu) | 10 | |
| Proso millets (Varigelu) | 2 | |
| Finger millets (Ragulu) | 7 | |
| Gingelly (Nuvvulu) | 15 | |
| Chickpea (Sanagalu) | 8 | |
| Green Gram (Pesalu) | 8 | |
| Black Gram (Minumulu) | 10 | |
| Cowpea (Alasandalu) | 10 | |
| Pigeon Pea (Kandulu) | 15 | |
| Horse Gram (Ulavalu) | 6 | |
| ANIMALS | ||
| Annelids | 163 | |
| Arthropods | 1337 | |
| Molluscs | 480 | |
| Freshwater fish | 180 | |
| Amphibians | 22 | |
| Reptiles | 103 | |
| Birds | 486 | |
| Mammals | 108 | |
These icons reflect the culture and tradition of Telangana state and three of them - Tangedu flowers, Blue Jay and Jammi Chettu - are associated with the popular festivals of Batukamma and Dasara. While Tangedu flowers are used in stacking of Batukammas, spotting the Blue Jay on Dasara is considered a good omen and people worship Jammi Chettu on that day.
Lord Rama spotted the Palapitta before invading Lanka and vanquished Ravana. Palapitta has been chosen to put Telangana on the path of victory
Deer is deeply associated with Indian history and a reference to this graceful animal was there in the great epic Ramayana. It can survive in the smallest forests also. It reflects the mindset of the people of Telangana as it is very sensitive and innocent.
Pandavas had vanquished a large army of Kauravas only after performing worshipping the Jammi Chettu. They had hidden their weapons on a Jammi Chettu when they had been forced into exile in the forests. Now, Telangana requires the blessings of the Jammi Chettu.
Tangedu flower which is used during the Batukamma festival by women folk is the most appropriate choice as the state flower.
Biodiversity Heritage Sites are well defined areas that are unique ecologically fragile ecosystems - terrestrial,fresh water or marine having rich biodiversity comprising any one or more of the components such as
The declaration of biodiversity heritage sites will ensure bringing home the values and ethics in the society thereby protecting the environment and ensuring availability of bioresources for the present and future generations.
The state biodiversity board, after due consultation with the local bodies and other stakeholders shall recommend the state government for setting up of biodiversity heritage sites.
The state government in turn will notify the biodiversity heritage sites after consultation with the central government.
