Involving local communities to conserve the India’s largest freshwater lake, Kolleru Lake, the Wildlife Management Division of the Forest Department will conduct ‘Toddy-trunk boat race’ in the lake on the World Wetland Day to be observed on February 2.
The toddy-trunk boat is perceived to be a symbol of the Kolleru Lake, one of the Ramsar Conservation sites in India. Chief Conservator of Forests S.S. Sreedhar had approved the proposal of the Kaikaluru Forest Range officials to conduct the race in the lake, making mandatory of placing necessary security measures to avoid any untoward incident.
“We are chalking out plans to conduct it in a grand way”, Mr. Sreedhar told The Hindu . Over 50 individuals, who have mastered riding the traditional toddy trunk boat, are expected to take part in the race from the Krishna and West Godavari districts. The individual participants would require riding the boat on the serene blue lake waters nearly for one and half kilometre distance from wood-bridge at Vadlakutitippa to Peddintlamma temple which is located in the lake.
Those who own a traditional boat can register for the race with the forest authorities or can directly come to the venue on February 2. “Given the risk involved in riding the boat, we will deploy professional swimmers and follow the participants on special boats to avoid untoward incident," Kaikaluru Forest Ranger A. Sunil Kumar told The Hindu . “The initiation is to help the local communities to realise the immediate need of conservation of the lake, apart from exploration of its beauty,” said forest officials. Rs. 10,000 and Rs. 5,000 of cash would be awarded to the winner and the runners-up. For registration one can contact cell number: 9494-900707.
Over 50 persons are expected to take part in the race from the Krishna and West Godavari districts
