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Polluted Kolleru faces threat of extinction
Polluted Kolleru faces threat of extinction. Kolleru Lake, one of the largest fresh water lakes in Asia, is facing the threat of extinction with increased pollution and encroachments. The lake has failed to attract winged friends and its numbers are dwindling.
Plea to develop eco tourism in Kolleru Lake to make it an international tourist destination
Kolleru Lake, one of the largest fresh water lakes in Asia, is facing the threat of extinction with increased pollution and encroachments. The lake has failed to attract winged friends and its numbers are dwindling.
A visit to the Kolleru reveals the plight of the lake. One can notice highly polluted water posing a threat to both fish and birds. Many fish died due to fall in water levels at Atapaka Bird Sanctuary which is spread over 300 acres. Forest officials claim that there are helpless in protecting the sanctuary as there are no inflows into the lake due to lack of rainfall.
Experts attribute the sorry state of affairs to increased encroachments and pollution of the lake. After Operation Kolleru, there was no check on encroachments and it is alleged that the number of illegal fish ponds increased in Kolleru lake bed indiscriminately with the support of both political leaders and officials.
The increase in aqua culture in Kolleru bed is also polluting the lake in a big way as the aqua farmers use pesticides and release the residue from the ponds into the lake. Kolleru Parirakshna Samithi member Dr B Seshagiri Rao who presented research papers on the pollution of the lake said that with the increase in population in surrounding villages, the lake is getting polluted further. With the increase in toxic contents, there has been a threat to both the birds and fish in Kolleru lake.
Bird Watchers Society of Andhra Pradesh secretary Safatulla added that if there is environment degradation and change in eco system and fall in water levels in the lake, birds will search for alternative habitation. He stressed the need for long term study of the lake to protect it from extinction. Several others opined that the State develop eco tourism around the lake to make it a international tourist destination.
