Plan To Convert Kondakarla Aava Lake Into Conservation Reserve

Visakhapatnam: District collector Vijaya Krishnan on Tuesday stated that the state government was planning to convert Kondakarla Aava, a critical freshwater lake in the region, into a Conservation Reserve under the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972.

During a review meeting with officials of forest, panchayat raj, irrigation, fisheries, and tourism departments, he outlined the designation framework and coordinate development strategies that harmonise conservation priorities with community economic needs.

The collector issued specific directives to address immediate concerns. The irrigation department received instructions to execute a comprehensive boundary survey of the lake and reinforce existing bunds to prevent overflow incidents and subsequent ecological harm. Meanwhile, panchayat raj officials were told to tackle urgent infrastructure issues, particularly the elimination of sewage discharge into the lake and enforcement of waste disposal regulations among local communities.

The tourism department has been assigned with developing an eco-tourism framework that preserves the area's environmental integrity while creating visitor amenities. Their mandate includes planning for hospitality facilities, recreational infrastructure, boating services, and mapping available government and tourism-designated lands for future development.

Recogniding the economic dependency of local fishing communities, the fisheries department is to investigate sustainable livelihood alternatives, including the construction of jetties and the creation of tourism-sector employment opportunities. The forest department's role centres on ensuring all proposed developments align with conservation standards to preserve the lake's ecological stability.