TEDxHyderabad Spotlight: Uday Krishna’s Inspiring Journey to Save India’s Heritage Trees

Hyderabad: Environmental storyteller and conservation advocate Uday Krishna delivered a thought-provoking talk at TEDxHyderabad – Fire Up, urging people to rethink their relationship with nature through the extraordinary stories of India’s oldest and most remarkable trees.

In his inspiring presentation, titled around “The Big Tree Quest,” Uday shared fascinating stories of trees that have silently shaped history—a tree that saved 150 lives, a tree that once sheltered robbers, a tree valued at ₹100 crore, and another that united strangers from around the world to protect it.

Having travelled over 40,000 kilometres documenting more than 150 heritage trees across India, Uday discovered that the story of trees is ultimately the story of humanity itself. His journey highlights how these ancient giants have survived empires, nurtured communities, preserved biodiversity, and quietly protected generations for centuries.

As the Founder of the Vata Foundation, Uday Krishna has dedicated his work to conserving India’s natural heritage through community-led conservation, wildlife photography, jungle restoration, and immersive storytelling. His flagship initiative, The Big Tree Quest, documents India’s oldest and largest trees while raising awareness about their ecological, cultural, and historical significance.

During his TEDx talk, Uday emphasized that conservation begins with an emotional connection. Rather than admiring nature from a distance, he encouraged people to recognize what humanity stands to lose if these living monuments disappear.

Through powerful visual storytelling and grassroots conservation campaigns, he continues to inspire communities to protect heritage trees and reconnect with nature as an essential part of human survival.

His message at TEDxHyderabad served as a powerful reminder that protecting trees is not just about preserving the environment—it’s about safeguarding history, culture, biodiversity, and the future of generations to come.

“The story of trees is the story of us. Protecting them means protecting our own future.”