Treasure hunters destroying ecosystem at University of Hyderabad campus

Hyderabad: After poaching of wild animals, the University of Hyderabad campus is witnessing treasure hunters destroying its ecosystem. Members of Wild Lens, a student group of nature photography enthusiasts, came across some remains of what seemed like a treasure hunting expedition atop Devatalagutta, a hillock on the campus.

PhD scholar Jillapalli Ravi, member of Wild Lens, said there were rumours of treasure hidden on the hillock due to the presence of three holes, each having a circumference of about one metre. “Close to the hillock some archaeological artefacts were discovered earlier giving air to the myth," he said.

He said he had found face masks which are usually worn when rocks are blasted, apart from a spade and metal containers for removing mud, phosphorous thread used for lighting explosives which may have been used to blast stones.

He said he had submitted these materials to the university security.
A university security official confirmed that some materials were submitted by the students which suggested excavation and blasting of stones at the hillock. It would be investigated, he said.