Andhra Pradesh - Others   

Boost for Kolleru restoration

S. Harpal Singh

Development authority to be formed to monitor works

TIME TO ACT: Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wild Life) K. Someswara Rao (right) explaining a point to Forest Department officials at the Pochera waterfall in Adilabad district.

POCHERA (ADILABAD DT.): Kolleru, the famous fresh water lake in Krishna and West Godavari districts will soon have a development authority to look after its restoration works.

The authority, which is likely to go functional in a couple of months, will also look into the question of creating livelihoods for the locals engaged in pisciculture, who were displaced recently in the lake cleaning operations.

According to K. Someswara Rao, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) (Wild Life), the formation of the development authority will also facilitate reception of funds from interested international wetland agencies and NGOs in the field.

Initially the developmental work will be carried out by funds from the Union Government.

However, finance from international agencies interested in protection of mangroves, sanctuaries etc. will also follow, he adds.

Mr. Someswara Rao was on a visit to the Kuntala and Pochera waterfalls eco-tourism projects on Saturday when he spoke to The Hindu on the subject.

Before restoration works were launched on full scale, a management plan for big time eco-tourism at the lake would be prepared by an agency in the field, he disclosed.

Invitation for expression of interest in the project had already been served, he added.

Pollution

"Our main concern at Kolleru is the pollution. It is 20 years since the `spoiling' of the lake began. In another 5 to 10 years, the lake will be restored to its pristine nature. Things have started looking up as the Pelicans began returning to this place," observed the PCCF.

Mr. Someswara Rao was very enthusiastic about his visit to the eco-tourism sites in Adilabad district.

He said despite a lot of development that had taken place here, there was further scope for the same at Kuntala and Pochera.

He was happy that the two sites attracted large number of visitors every day.

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