Kolleru Body Seeks Review Of Wetland Boundary

VIJAYAWADA: People and farmers from six Assembly constituencies in the Kolleru region have formed the Voice of Kolleru (Kolleru Volunteers Organization for Inclusive Conservation and Empowerment) to protect the area’s ecological balance, livelihoods and development interests.

The organisation, comprising stakeholders from Undi, Kaikaluru, Gudivada, Eluru, Denduluru and Unguturu, has made the Kolleru Wetland boundary its immediate priority.

It said the lake originally covered about 100 square miles, or 64,000 acres, while its identification as a wetland of international importance extends up to the +10 contour, covering 2.25 lakh acres.

According to the organisation, nearly 1.61 lakh acres outside the original lake, including agricultural and aquaculture lands, villages and towns, have consequently come under the Wetlands Conservation and Management Rules. It termed the expanded coverage “illogical and unjust” to local farmers and residents.

The issue has gained urgency following a Supreme Court direction on July 28 in W.P. (C) 304/2018 to complete ground-truthing and demarcation of the wetland boundaries within two months.

Voice of Kolleru secretary Gangadharam warned that extending wetland regulations to the expanded area could cause severe financial losses to farmers and other residents.

President Sivaji Raju said the organisation would conduct village-level awareness programmes, mobilise public representatives, coordinate with governments and pursue legal remedies, including intervention in the Supreme Court case.