SC directs AP to clear fish tanks from Kolleru sanctuary

New Delhi, Apr 14 (UNI) The Supreme Court has directed Andhra Pradesh to start demolition of all fish tanks from the Kolleru Wild Life Sanctuary situated between the delta of Krishna and Godavari, rivers from April 20.

A bench comprising Justice Arijit Pasayat and Justice S H Kapadia in a judgement dated April 10 said the task of demolition of fish tanks in the lake, one of Asia's largest shallow fresh water lakes, be completed in a time bound manner before the onset of monsoon.

The bench upheld the validity of recommendations of the Central Empowered Committee(CEC) in its report dated March 20, 2006 concerning implementation of the notification dated October 4,1999 issued by the government of Andhra Pradesh under section 26A of the Wild Life(Protection) Act,1972, directing the clearing of the Kolleru Wild Life Sanctuary of all fish tanks.

The lake serves as a natural flood balancing reservoir for the two rivers. It receives water from 67 inflowing drains and channels and sustains people as well as the flora and fauna around it.

Kolleru Lake extends over 901 sq kms (2.25 lakh acres).

However only 308 sq kms out of 901 sq kms have been declared as Wild Life Sanctuary.

The state notification was issued as encroachments led to submersion of delta facility in the upstream area due to blockage of free flow of water into the lake.

MORE UNI AKS/SC PA DS1246