Visakhapatnam is gearing up to go wild — quite literally! From April 26 to April 29, 2025, the city will take part in the City Nature Challenge (CNC) 2025, a global citizen science initiative encouraging people to document biodiversity in urban spaces using the iNaturalist app.

Organized locally by nature groups, schools, and environmentalists in collaboration with global partners, this event transforms Vizag into a biodiversity observation zone. Residents, students, and nature lovers are invited to explore parks, backyards, beaches, and hills to record plants, insects, birds, reptiles, fungi, and more.

🌿 How It Works:

Participants can simply download the iNaturalist app, take photos of any living organisms they find, and upload them. The platform uses AI to help identify species, while a global community of experts validates the observations. The goal? To document as much urban biodiversity as possible within four days.

🐾 Why It Matters:

This initiative not only fosters environmental awareness but also contributes valuable data to scientists and conservationists. Vizag's unique landscape — spanning coastlines, hills, and urban wetlands — makes it a rich hotspot for biodiversity waiting to be documented.

In 2024, CNC saw over 1.9 million observations across 400+ cities, and this year, Vizag aims to climb the leaderboard by spotlighting its ecological treasures. Whether it’s a shy mongoose in Kambalakonda, coral crabs at RK Beach, or native medicinal plants in Simhachalam, every discovery counts.

🌍 Who Can Join:

Anyone with a smartphone and curiosity! There’s no need for prior experience — the CNC is open to students, families, researchers, photographers, and casual walkers alike. Guided walks and workshops will be held throughout the city to help participants engage more deeply with nature.

📅 Key Dates:

• April 26–29, 2025 – Observation Days

• April 30–May 5, 2025 – Identification Period

• May 6, 2025 – Results Announced Globally

So grab your phone, head outside, and help put Vizag’s wild side on the global map!