Two-day golf tournament for biodiversity summit delegates

Golfers enjoying their game at the Hyderabad Club golf course near the Qutub Shahi tombs on Wednesday. Photo: V.V. Subrahmanyam

The picturesque golf course of the Hyderabad Golf Club (HGC), a project of the AP Tourism Development Corporation with the backdrop of the historic Golconda Fort, will host a two-day golf tournament (October 13 to 14) exclusively for the delegates attending the Biodiversity Conference to be held in the city from October 1.

In fact, the HGC is keen to project the entire course as a major tourist destination by ensuring that the existing 16-hole golf course (efforts are on to see the completion of full-length 18-hole course) on the 213-acre land is eco-friendly in all aspects.

“Our first objective is to make delegates feel comfortable when they come to play golf, taking a break from their hectic schedule during the Conference of Parties (CoP),” says a HGA official, not willing to be quoted.

Makeshift cabins which cater to the needs of security, basic amenities, spectators’ seating are already awaiting for final ‘clearance’ from the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) regarding their exact location on the sprawling golf course.

“Thanks to the government’s concerted efforts and the constant monitoring by the ASI officials, we are happy with the way things have gone so far,” the top official, says.

Interestingly, in tune with one of the major themes of the Biodiversity Meet, HGC is also highlighting the fact that it is not using even a single drop of water from either the groundwater sources or the HMWSSB pipelines.

“The best part is that by developing this entire stretch into a world-class golf course originally a garbage dump yard, there is a homecoming of sorts for many species of birds. This, in a way, reminds us of the existence of a bird sanctuary in the olden days here,” he explains.

“It is an eco-friendly project and we also planted 3,000 saplings so far for the desired green cover besides the magnificent course — Rs. 15 crore has been spent and another Rs 10 crores is to be spent for a club house,” he reveals.

The golf course, a little deep into bylines of the hustle-bustle Toli Chowki stretch and close to the Quli Qutub Shah tombs, could turn out to be a centre of attraction for the delegates.