umc-movement

A 120-acre biodiversity reserve and conservation park on campus

In 2000, MUWCI’s campus had just one solitary mango tree. Today, with the efforts of staff, faculty, and students who have planted over 10,000 trees, the campus is cloaked in greenery and is home to diverse flora and fauna in its 175-acres.

MUWCI is located on a biodiversity reserve and conservation park in the Sahyadri Hills, overlooking the Mulshi and Kolvan valleys. In 2006, we launched the Van Vihar Biodiversity Park & Reserve, officially protecting the ecosystems on campus. The biodiversity park covers approximately one-third of our campus and includes walking trails through reforested habitats, medicinal plant gardens, and landscaped green areas.

The Van Vihar Biodiversity Park & Reserve serves as a focus for reforestation and soil conservation efforts in the area. Tree planting campaigns, watershed restoration projects, and fire risk mitigation restore our ecosystems and provide employment opportunities for local residents. The Conservation Reserve represents the majority of our campus area and is bordered by a Sacred Grove, Maharashtra Forest Land, agricultural fields, and a new residential development.

section

section

In 2012, UNESCO accepted the Sahyadris as a world heritage site. It is recognised as one of the world’s eight “hottest hotspots” of biological diversity with ~1800 endemic species. Several of these species can be found on our campus.

section

Feedback

section

Stories
Campus biodiversity at a glance
img
400+

Including Amaranthus, Nimban tree, and Pangara tree

img
img
img
30+

Including Citronella grass, Rosha, Galangal, Cinnamomum, and Peppermint

90

Including Eurasian Sparrowhawk, Spotted Dove, White-throated Kingfisher, Thick-billed Flowerpecker, and Malabar Lark

img
17

Including Bonnet macaque, South-western langur, Barking deer, Indian flying fox, and Three-striped palm squirrel

110

Including Atlas moth, Moon moth, Silk moths, Emperor moths, and Owl Moths

img
26

Including Rock Gecko, Common Sand Boa, Forest Calotes, and Brahminy Skink

img
4

set up by students and faculty

img
img
img
img
400+

Including Amaranthus, Nimban tree, and Pangara tree

img
30+

Including Citronella grass, Rosha, Galangal, Cinnamomum, and Peppermint

17

Including Bonnet macaque, South-western langur, Barking deer, Indian flying fox, and Three-striped palm squirrel

img
90

Including Eurasian Sparrowhawk, Spotted Dove, White-throated Kingfisher, Thick-billed Flowerpecker, and Malabar Lark

img
110

Including Atlas moth, Moon moth, Silk moths, Emperor moths, and Owl Moths

img
26

Including Rock Gecko, Common Sand Boa, Forest Calotes, and Brahminy Skink

img
4

set up by students and faculty