The water levels had dipped upto one foot in the 320-acre pond in the lake at Atapaka hampering the migratory birds’ visit. However, experts blamed successive governments neglecting the water body and stated that the construction of unauthorised bridges and bunds, encroachments and silt deposits was obstructing free flow of water in Kolleru adding into lake’s problems besides delay in rains.Īs per the February 2016 report, the decrease in water level in Kolleru lake at Atapaka Bird Sanctuary also known as pelican paradise was affecting the fish and birds population adversely. In 20 the large area of lake dried up due to delay in monsoon forcing birds in large numbers to migrate elsewhere. The fish pond owners were also reportedly releasing water contaminated with pesticides and fertilizers in the sanctuary areas causing problems of birds and aquatic life in the lake. The flow of water to the Kolleru was disturbed at many coastal areas, posing threat for villages with inundation problem during heavy rains in the future. The government’s proposal to shrink the lakes further was also a threat to the rivulets that emptied into the lake. The lake original area was 2,37,221 acres but its area has been shrinking. In December 2014, to promote aquaculture in fish ponds the state government proposed to shrink the lake size further from about 77,000 acres to 45,000 acres. Poor farmers living in villages around the lake were trying to encroach upon it to eke out a living, and vested interests also wanted to convert it into aquaculture tanks and paddy fields because of the high yields and low cost of production. The farmers and fishermen earning livelihood from the lake have been affected.Īs per June 2013 report, Kolleru Lake, was constantly under the threat of encroachment for the production of food. The lake has been facing problems due to shrinking area, decreasing water supply and increasing pollution affecting the wetland dependent birds and aquatic ecosystem. At that time, the Ramsar Convention had allowed local Vaddi community to continue their traditional fishing occupation. The 308 sq km area of lake was declared as wildlife sanctuary in November 1999 and designated as Ramsar site in November 2002. This lake is a major tourist attraction and hot spot for migratory as well as resident birds. The lake is fed directly by water from the seasonal Budameru and Tammileru streams, and is connected to the Krishna and Godavari irrigation systems by over 67 major and minor irrigation canals. Kolleru is located between Krishna and Godavari deltas spanning over two districts – Krishna and West Godavari. Kolleru Lake is the largest shallow freshwater lake in Asia. Kolleru Lake: Government destroying Asia’s largest freshwater lake India Ramsar Wetlands sites: South India SN This account in the series describes the threats affecting the Ramsar sites in South Indian States. In order to understand and highlight the present day situation of Ramsar sites in India, SANDRP has compiled information on all 37 wetlands under North, West, North East and East zone. There are no Ramsar wetlands in Telangana, Karnataka and Puducherry. Out of six states/ Union Territory in South India, three stares have five Ramsar wetlands sites which include one each in Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu and three in Kerala.
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