description Lake Kolleru Overview
Lake Kolleru is a shallow freshwater lake in Andhra Pradesh, India, situated between the Krishna and Godavari river deltas. It is an important wetland for fish, waterbirds, and communities that depend on the surrounding aquatic environment. The lake and its associated habitats are protected through the Kolleru Lake Wildlife Sanctuary. Kolleru was designated a Ramsar site in 2002, giving it international recognition as a wetland of ecological importance.
help Lake Kolleru FAQ
Where is Lake Kolleru and how big is it?
Lake Kolleru lies in Andhra Pradesh, India, in the floodplain between the Krishna and Godavari river deltas. It is one of India's largest freshwater lakes, historically spanning roughly 900 square kilometers at high water before shrinking dramatically in the dry season.
Is Lake Kolleru a Ramsar site?
Yes, Kolleru was designated a Wetland of International Importance under the Ramsar Convention in 2002. The lake's birdlife — including spot-billed pelicans and painted storks — is the main reason for its protected status, and it is managed as a bird sanctuary.
What environmental problems has Lake Kolleru faced?
The lake was heavily encroached on by commercial fish and shrimp ponds from the late 20th century onward, which shrank its open water and degraded its ecology. In the mid-2000s the Andhra Pradesh government ran demolition drives, often referred to as Operation Kolleru, to clear the illegal ponds.
How does Lake Kolleru drain to the sea?
Its outlet to the Bay of Bengal is the Upputeru, a brackish channel that carries the lake's overflow eastward. The Kolleru–Upputeru system is what makes the lake a natural flood buffer between the two great deltas.
explore Explore More
Reviews & Comments
Write a Review
Be the first to review
Share your thoughts with the community and help others make better decisions.
