Our Story
Our story was born when our founder Imran, a career wildlife conservationist got Annapurna Film School to sponsor screening a handful of conservation oriented films in 2019. The purpose was to engage the Hyderabadis into a dialogue on wildlife conservation. A good number of those films were sponsored by Jackson Wild. After several years of repeating the template, it became evident that the audience were craving for more engagement and dialogue.
And then a few more friends came together inspired by the work and wanting to help scale this endeavour.
Vision
To enable urban communities to actively support wildlife conservation through informed choices in their daily lives, regenerative design of private and public living spaces, and sustained funding for on-ground impact.
Mission
HydWild Foundation’s mission is to elevate urban consciousness on wildlife conservation and convert awareness into measurable, everyday action by: • Inspiring informed public engagement through film, dialogue and trade platforms. • Advancing sustainable urban rewilding through design-led, indigenous practices. • Mobilising and deploying conservation capital to grassroots NGOs and practitioners delivering on-the-ground wildlife impact across Telangana.
Foundation Charter
HydWild Foundation is a Section 8, not-for-profit organisation committed to advancing wildlife conservation by integrating awareness, action, and funding within the urban context. The Foundation operates as a multi-disciplinary platform that:
Builds public consciousness through wildlife cinema, dialogue, education, and SME business engagement
Mobilises and deploys conservation finance transparently to NGOs and individuals delivering high-impact wildlife sustainability projects. HydWild recognises that sustainable conservation cannot rely solely on protected areas or government action. Urban citizens, private land, design professionals, and capital holders must play a proactive role in restoring ecological balance.
Implements urban rewilding by embedding indigenous biodiversity and water-sensitive systems into the built environment
By aligning storytelling, regenerative design, and ethical funding, HydWild Foundation hopes to empower Hyderabadis transform from being agents of consumption to agents of ecological regeneration — supporting wildlife, strengthening natural resources, and safeguarding biodiversity for future generations.
Alignment
CSR Schedule VII
Environmental sustainability
Conservation of natural resources
Protection of flora and fauna
UN SDG
SDG 11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities
SDG 12 - Responsible Consumption and Production
SDG 13 - Climate Action
Core Values
Ecological Integrity
We prioritise indigenous biodiversity, ecosystem balance, and long-term resilience over cosmetic or extractive interventions.
Urban Responsibility
We believe cities must be active contributors to conservation—not passive consumers of natural resources.
Design for Regeneration
We apply architectural, planning, and systems thinking to restore natural processes within the built environment.
Equity in Conservation
We channel resources to those closest to the ground—local NGOs, researchers, and practitioners—ensuring inclusive and decentralised impact.
Transparency & Accountability
We uphold rigorous governance, measurable outcomes, and open reporting to earn and sustain stakeholder trust.
Collaboration Over Control
We operate as a platform—bringing together filmmakers, conservationists, funders, designers, institutions, and communities.
Founding Leadership
Padma Krishnan
Chairperson
My love for wildlife began in childhood, long before I understood conservation. Growing up, forests and encounters with animals filled me with a sense of wonder that never left me.
I built a career in technology, using data, systems, and collaboration to solve data issues and build analytics. I wanted to bring those skills back to the natural world.
I left the corporate world to work on wildlife conservation projects using analytics and technologies such as SMART, EarthRanger, and WPS Watch, helping conservation organizations make better use of data, including camera-trap data.
I am passionate about connecting technology, people, and resources to solve conservation challenges. I strongly believe conservation is successful when communities, scientists, organizations, and individuals work together. Through conservation technology, visual storytelling, film festivals, and urban rewilding, I hope to inspire action and create a future where wildlife and people can thrive together.
Imran Siddiqui
Managing Director
With a deep-rooted passion for wildlife preservation, I am lmran Siddiqui, a dedicated tiger conservationist based in Hyderabad. Over the years, I have committed myself to safeguarding these majestic creatures and their habitats through innovative conservation strategies and community engagement.
My journey in tiger conservation spans extensive fieldwork and research, focusing on monitoring tiger populations, habitat restoration, policy interventions and combating wildlife trafficking. Through collaborations with local communities, government agencies, and international conservation organizations, I strive to create sustainable solutions that ensure the survival of tigers and promote biodiversity.
As an advocate for environmental sustainability, I am driven by a mission to raise awareness about the importance of tiger conservation and inspire action towards protecting our natural heritage. Let's connect to explore opportunities for collaboration and contribute towards a future where tigers thrive in the wild.
An architect and design leader with over 28 years of experience in architecture, interior design and urban planning, I bring a strong
understanding of how cities, landscapes and people interact.
A lifelong wildlife enthusiast, my passion for forests, native species and natural ecosystems has evolved into a deeper interest in conservation and particularly, urban rewilding.
I believe that cities can coexist with nature by restoring native habitats, encouraging biodiversity and creating spaces where wildlife can thrive alongside people.
At HydWild, I bring together my experience in architecture and urban planning with my passion for wildlife and conservation, with a vision of making Hyderabad a more nature-sensitive and biodiverse city.
Conservation is not only about protecting wild places it is also about bringing the wild back into the places we inhabit.
Jayakiran Pidikondala
Executive Director
Our Partners
We collaborate with forward-thinking organizations dedicated to wildlife conservation, sustainable innovation, and local community action across the globe.
Work together for the wild
HydWild welcomes conversations with people and organisations who want to connect culture, conservation and community action.