A special team has been set up by the Forest Department for disrupt illegal fish farming in Kolleru Lake which is the biggest freshwater lake in Asia and a place of international significance under Ramsar Convention. This team consists of 52 individuals all of whom will be charged with the responsibility of identifying and acting against illegal pond diggers for aquaculture activities.
In their latest operation missions, the team found that some groups dug out part of the 5th contour of the lake to make these illegal ponds, which covered a collectively huge area of 1700 acres. Such ponds were found in Bobbili Lanka, Mallavaram, Paidichintalapadu, and the district of Eluru. It is worth noting that those who own these ponds do not live near the ponds.
To address this illegal activity the Forest Department has taken it to court using the Wildlife (Protection) Act of 1972. The team has received instructions from the Collector of the Eluru district, Mr. V. Prasanna Venkatesh, to step up the actions by carrying out device searches.
Ms. K. Sailaja Hima, the Additional Divisional Forest Officer in Wildlife in Eluru, confirmed that the actions would be taken. She emphasized that there is an executive order number. 120, fishing by those living only within the lake’s ecosystem is permitted.
This program emphasises the need to protect the fragile equilibrium of ecosystems such as Kolleru Lake and to apply resource management that is sustainable and to the benefit of all.