VIJAYAWADA: Encroachments in the Kolleru Lake have serious implications on paddy farmers in its vicinity. The fish tanks that were fortified with high bunds stood like a chain of obstructions for floodwaters in the wake of recent heavy rains. As a result, the backwaters collected in the lake's surroundings and submerged paddy fields.

Paddy crop in an extent of 35,000 acres was submerged in Kaikaluru and Mandavalli areas after the backwaters from Kolleru swept into the fields.

A similar problem cropped up in a much larger dimension in West Godavari, raising concerns among farmers and forcing the Government to look for ways to save the standing crops.

A Cabinet sub-committee held discussions with officials and public representatives on the issue. Top irrigation officials also visited the Kolleru Lake to identify a solution for the problem.

The obstructions

About 1,300 fish tanks were found to have come up in the lakebed. They dug up the tanks and built high-standing bunds, which were laid with rubbish roads to run tractors and cars. This kind of structures came as a severe obstruction for the floodwaters.

In times of heavy rains, water from major drains flow into the lake and then into the sea. The Polaraju drain, the Chandraiah drain and many such drains bring floodwaters coming from agricultural fields and join the lake at different points.

Concerned over the submergence of crops, the Government asked the irrigation officials to find an immediate solution to the problem.

There was a lot of pressure from paddy farmers and local public representatives in both Krishna and West Godavari districts in this respect.

The officials found that the strongly built fish tanks created the major problem. Unless the natural flow of floodwaters from the drains and surrounding fields is allowed, the lake will not regain its ability to receive the waters so that the agricultural fields would not face the threat of submergence.

Eco balance

All the 1,300 fish tanks lying in the Krishna district side of the lake would have to be cut, if the standing paddy crop has to be saved.

The farmers are worried that though paddy is a water plant, it will not survive if submergence continues for more than five to six days. Paddy plant would withstand water logging for three days.

On earlier occasions, the officials and the experts suggested total dismantling of the fish tanks for sustaining ecological balance in the lake and its surroundings.

The present problem of backwaters and submergence of crops had its impact on the climate in the area.

"Gurrapu dekka" (water hyacinth), "thudu", "rubber chettu" and other stray growth added to the problem of submergence. They caused obstruction in the flow of floodwaters even in drains near the lake.

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