Besides the conservation of mangrove forest, boating and fishing in the brackish waters in the Krishna Wildlife Sanctuary (KWS) in Krishna district has become an integral part of the local communities living on the sanctuary premises.
While elders of fisherfolk families are mostly seen busy in search of fish catch on country-made or small engine boats, children and women join their men, spending their day peacefully moving into the lush green mangrove forest and tranquil waters on the boat.
Since the estuary of Krishna passes through the sanctuary near the Sorlagondi and Nachugunta reserve forests, which are also part of the sanctuary in Nagayalanka mandal, scores of boatmen try their luck in fishing everyday. “The estuary is a natural way that directly takes our boat to the confluence point of river Krishna into Bay of Bengal. Half of the fishing is done before arrive the sea through the forest and estuary,” said a Yanadi tribal family.
Mullet, Grooper, Red Snapper, Sea Bream and Sillago Sihama, known as ‘Ladyfish’, whose seed is being developed by the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute, are a few fish species caught in the estuary. Near the proposed Defence Research and Development Organisation’s Missile Test Launch Facility, a treasure trove of mangrove plant species and serene water always appeal the passersby, thanks to its beauty. The locations which were explored suitable for fishing are including Gullalamoda, Sorlagondi, Eedurmondi, Nachugunta and Zinakapalem under the sanctuary boundary. Though locations within in the range of the KWS have no means of tourism facilities, the visitors always love to have a glimpse at the life of the local communities and fishing in the KWS, particularly in Summer.
