The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Vijayawada News : CPI demands steps to protect Kolleru lake

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Dec 05, 2004

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh - Vijayawada

CPI demands steps to protect Kolleru lake

By Our Special Correspondent

VIJAYAWADA, DEC. 4. Expressing concern over rampant encroachment on the Kolleru lakebed, the Communist Party of India has demanded that the State Government take necessary steps to implement the directions of the Supreme Court to protect the lake.

Addressing a press conference here on Saturday, the CPI State council assistant secretary, K. Narayana, said that more than 50,000 acres of the total 96,000 acres of Kolleru lake had been encroached upon so far resulting in ecological imbalance.

With encroachers constructing bunds across the lake area, the flow of water into the sea was being obstructed leading to inundation of 50 to 60 villages during the rainy season.

While the previous Congress Governments had issued pattas on the land surrounding the lake to genuine beneficiaries, some contractors managed to take possession of some land and convert it into fishponds.

Aqua culture

The rampant use of seawater for aqua culture in the tanks resulted in increased salinity levels in the area leading to acute drinking water shortage. "TDP as well as Congress leaders are involved and formed a sort of fisheries mafia in the area. While business in excess of Rs. 2,000 crores is done through fish exports, the Government is not receiving any amount as a majority of the tanks are illegal," he said.

Panel of no use

Though the present Government had constituted a Cabinet panel to study the issue, it was of no use as some of the members owned lands around the Kolleru.

"There are reports that one of the members is holding parleys with those who are working for the scrapping of GO Ms. 120 aimed at conserving the lake. In this background, how can anyone expect an impartial study into the matter?" Mr. Narayana questioned.

The Government should, therefore, constitute a House Committee to probe the matter and take necessary steps to protect the lake.

In the process, steps should also be initiated to ensure that the interests of genuine beneficiaries holding rights on the lands around the lake were protected, he added.

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