Kolleru lake

• The survival of Kolleru Lake is under severe threat as aqua ponds continue to encroach and thrive in the heart of the wetland.
• The rate at which the lake is witnessing encroachments demands ‘Operation Kolleru-2.0’ for the survival of the unique wetland ecosystem.
• In 2006, the Andhra Pradesh government executed ‘Operation Kolleru’ as per the directives of the Supreme Court and demolished 1,776 aqua ponds spread over 43,000 acres within the Kolleru Wildlife Sanctuary (KWS).
• In 1999, the State government declared more than 308 sq.km area as the sanctuary within the 90,100 hectares of the lake.

 ABOUT KOLLERU LAKE

• It is India’s largest freshwater lake ecosystem.
  • It is also Asia’s largest freshwater lake.
• It serves as a breeding and feeding ground for 220 avian species including nearly 100 species migrating from the Palearctic region.
• It lies between the Krishna and Godavari deltas.
• It is fed by seasonal Budameru and Tammileru rivers.
• It was notified as a Wildlife Sanctuary in 1999 under Wild Life Protection Act,1972.
• Kolleru Lake was declared as a ‘Ramsar’ site in 2002.