A delayed and weak monsoon is posing a threat to the thousands of birds nestling at Kolleru Lake in Krishna and West Godavari districts.
The winged visitors, especially pelicans, painted storks and others, those arrived here from different far-off places in search of food and cosy ambience, have started leaving the lake.
With the dry spell persisting even till July-end, many tanks and tributaries of Kolleru Lake along the Godavari delta have already dried up and a parched lake bed is now witnessed in hundreds of acres spread across Alapadu, Pallevada, Aatapaka, Vadlakltitippa, Kolletikota and other villages in Krishna district.
The birds rest in the hyacinth, Kikkisa grass, bushes and feed on the fish in the lake. But, with the grass and the hyacinth drying up at many places of the lake for the want of water, the birds are forced to leave their habitations. Villagers in the vicinity have also added to the problem by burning the grass to collect firewood, harming the flora and fauna further.
“Unfortunately, the water body has been neglected by successive governments. Adding to the problem of scanty rainfall this monsoon, construction of unauthorised bridges and bunds, encroachments and silt deposits obstruct free flow of water in Kolleru,” says noted environmentalist Patanjali Sastri.
Due to inadequate water in the lake, birds are migrating to other places in search of food. The State government should take measures to remove silt and encroachments as per Wildlife Protection Act 1972, he suggested.
“Steps should be taken to create awareness among people on ecosystem. Efforts should be put in to protect water bodies,” says the environmentalist.