Residents around Kolleru Lake form welfare society to safeguard rights

A new welfare organisation, Voice of Kolleru, has been formed by villagers and farmers living around Kolleru Lake to protect their rights and address issues concerning the wetland. The society aims to provide a common platform for those affected by decisions related to the lake.

Lakhs of people, including aquaculture and agriculture farmers and traders, reside in areas around the lake across Eluru, Kaikaluru, Undi, Gudivada, Unguturu and Denduluru mandals.

The organisation, formally named the Kolleru Volunteers Organisation for Inclusive Conservation and Empowerment, will hold awareness meetings, seek support from public representatives, examine the legal aspects of wetland boundary demarcation, and coordinate with both the State and Union governments, according to its president, N. Sivaji Raju.

Farmers and local residents argue that Kolleru originally spanned about 100 square miles, or 64,000 acres, and that areas outside this extent should not be brought under wetland regulations, said the organisation's secretary, Gangadharam.

The Supreme Court recently directed the State government, in response to a writ petition, to complete the identification and demarcation of the wetland boundary within two months.

Members of the new body, including Ramalinga Raju, Bose Raju, Purushottam and Renu Sarath, warned that bringing the entire 1,61,000-acre area around the lake under wetland regulations would cause severe losses to farmers and residents. Such a move would stall development activities and adversely impact livelihoods, they said.

"It is not correct to treat the entire area of about 1,61,000 acres around Kolleru as wetlands," the organisation's leaders stated.