|
|
Kolleru Bird Sanctuary is located 60-km away
from Vijayawada near
Eluru, West Godavari district. It is
the largest fresh Water Lake in the country. This Bird Sanctuary extends
over 673-sq-km (depending on water spread) of wetland and marshes
surrounding the Kolleru Lake, between the Krishna and Godavari deltas.
It
is described as "Peerless Fisherman's Paradise and Birds heaven"
in the Imperial Gazetteer. It receives water from four rivers, namely
Budameru, Ramileru, Tammileru and Errakalva and 18 drains. This lake
empties its water into the Bay of Bengal, every 6 months through an outlet
called 'Upputera'.
Flora
The flora mainly consists of aquatic weeds like Ipomea Aquatics, Scripus,
Water Hyacinth, Pharagmites, Ottelia, Typha etc. and certain tree species
like Babul, Albezzia, Rain tree, Palmyrah, Prosopis and coconut trees.
A Pelican Haven
This lake supports a rich biodiversity and high biomass of fish, plankton
that forms the source of food for birds. Pelicans arrive here during the
nesting season to raise their young. In winter great activity can be seen
here. The babble of Pelicans can be heard a quarter of a mile away. Apart
from pelicans, one can find grey herons, white ibis, pond herons, egrets
and many migratory ducks and water birds.
The Aquatic Life
Invertebrates like Crustaceans and Molluscs and 63 species of fish
belonging to 29 families are found in the lake. Main ones are Boccha,
Valugah, Korramenu, Gurak, Bangaru Teega, Jella, Ingilayh and Bommidaya.
Ingilayh and Bommidaya are two species, which are under threat of
extinction.
Fauna
Birds like Teals and Pintails are the main species. Other species include
painted storks, open bill storks, grey Herons, cormorants, white Ibises,
glossy Ibises, egrets, Reef Herons, Ducks, Coots, Shovellers, Terns,
Jacanas, Moorhens etc can be seen at this Bird Sanctuary of India.
Rail: The nearest Railway station
is Vijayawada, which is 60-km
away from the Kolleru Bird Sanctuary.
Road: This Sanctuary is approachable from Atapaka, 1.5-km from
Kaikaluru town, Murthiraju Tanks 8-km from Nidamarru, Gudivakalanka 3-km
from Gudivakalankas or 15-km from Eluru.
One can take buses from Vijayawada.
Forest Rest houses are available at Vijayawada and Eluru. One can also stay in the hotels at Vijayawada.