• 59/10, Kalkaji Extension, Kalkaji-110019, New Delhi

Indian Ecology, Forestry, Wildlife: Reflecting on the Past and Looking Ahead

Study period: 4 January to 29 January (4 Weeks)

NCI has an agreement with the University of Hyderabad that enables NCI member university students to have a four-week-long intensive summer course on “Indian Ecology, Forestry, Wildlife: Reflecting on the Past and Looking Ahead,” at the University of Hyderabad. This program introduces international students to India’s environmental history, wildlife conservation, and ecological challenges. The course examines how ecology and wildlife intersect with governance, colonialism, and societal perceptions, while also engaging students in contemporary urban ecological issues. Students will explore themes such as kingship and war elephants in ancient India, Mughal hunting practices, colonial forest policies, indigenous ecological knowledge, and post-independence challenges like urbanization, industrialization, and pollution.

Fieldwork constitutes half of the course, with excursions to ecological sites on the University of Hyderabad campus, urban slums in Old Hyderabad, and other locations to understand how environmental history connects to present-day conservation and urban ecology.

More Details about the Course

  • Course name: Indian Ecology, Forestry, Wildlife: Reflecting on the Past and Looking Ahead
  • Educational institution: University of Hyderabad, India
  • Course credits: 7.5/10 ECTS
  • Language of instruction: English
  • Study period: 4 January to 29 January (4 Weeks).
  • Rate of studies: Full time
  • Admission: 2 years of college or university studies with minimum grades equivalent to 3.0 GPA on a 4-point scale or grade C according to ECTS.
  • Application Deadline: October 1, 2026

Academic Coordinator(s):

Dr Vijaya Ramadas M
Associate Professor
vrmsss@uohyd.ac.in,
m.vijayramdas@gmail.com

 

 

 

 

At the end of the course, students should be able to:
  • Understand India’s environmental and ecological history and human-animal relations.
  • Critically analyze colonial forest policies and their impact on indigenous communities.
  • Evaluate contemporary ecological challenges such as urbanization, industrialization, and pollution.
  • Apply theoretical and methodological approaches to environmental history and conservation.
  • Develop independent research and analytical skills through fieldwork and project reports.

Upon successful completion of the summer course, the students receive a grade transcript from the University of Hyderabad and a certificate along with supplementary documents from the Nordic Centre in India that can award them 7.5 ECTS at their respective home university. For students who wish to pursue 10 ECTS it is also possible to do additional assignments during the same period. Since the course is designed to suit students from Nordic universities with European and national credit systems, students are requested to consult the international offices for information about how to translate and register the course credits at their home university.

The course is divided into thematic units:
  • Unit 1: State, Society, and Environment in Ancient India.
  • Unit 2: Ecological Spheres and Predatory Sovereignty in Medieval India.
  • Unit 3: Forestry, Wildlife, and Adivasi Tribes in Modern India.
  • Unit 4: Colonialism, Urban Ecology, and Contemporary Conservation.
Teaching and Evaluation

Teaching methods: Lectures, weekly field excursions, seminar presentations, and project-based learning.
Evaluation: Internal assessments (40 marks) and final exam (60 marks) OR a 3,500-word project report.

Students apply to the summer course at University of Hyderabad by submitting an application to the international office at their university. If directly applying to NCI, then the application should include the following documents:

  • A motivation letter including contact information.
  • A certificate of previous studies and a proof of the current registration at the university (a copy of the student card or any other documentation).
  • A CV or other related material to support the application. The admission procedure is conducted by nomination, i.e. after the international offices have received and reviewed the applications, they will nominate students qualified for the summer course to the Nordic Centre in India (NCI). The final selection of students is made by University of Hyderabad. The students admitted to the course will be given a letter of admission from University of Hyderabad and can apply for study visa through the Indian embassy in their home country.

Besides the boarding/dining charges, which is payable in actual to the caterer directly by the students, the amount mentioned on the table covers all local costs, including the course fee, lodging at International Students Hostel (ISH), shorter field and study trips, the use of medical facilities and the library at University of Hyderabad. Most of the reading material is also provided in photo copies or from the library.

Cost breakup - currency converter

Course fee

Single occupancy with attached bathroom

Total-INR

105825/-

17925/-

123750/-

Course fee

Twin sharing room with common/shared bathroom

Total-INR

105825/-

11050/-

116875/-

*Boarding fee

Actual charges are payable to the caterer

Click on download for more information about the fee structure and related information. 

Kindly note that the cost does not include expenses for travels to and from Hyderabad, visa fees, or medical and travel insurance: students need to pay by themselves.

Coordinator at University of Hyderabad

Prof Arvind S. Susarla
directorsip@uohyd.ac.in
internationaluoh@uohyd.ac.in
Phone: 91-40-23132808

Coordinator at the Nordic Centre in India

Ms Christabel Royan
Email: christabel.royan@nordiccentreindia.com
Phone: +91-9985146729