(a) whether the Government has objected to the reduction of contours of Kolleru lake
in Andhra Pradesh from five feet to three feet, thereby reducing the sanctuary area;
(b) if so, the details thereof and reasons therefor; and
(c) the steps being taken to amend the said wildlife act for this purpose?
MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR ENVIRONMENT AND FORESTS (SHRIMATI JAYANTHI
NATARAJAN)
(a)to(c) The Expert Committee on Conservation of Kolleru Lake Sanctuary (ECCKLS),
constituted in pursuance to the decision taken by the Standing Committee of National
Board for Wildlife, in their report indicated that it was not advisable to reduce the
area of the Kolleru Lake Sanctuary from +5 contours to +3 contours as the reduction of
the sanctuary area was not a viable solution for the socio-economic and ecological issues
confronting the stakeholders including local communities dependent on the Kolleru lake.
The Standing Committee of National Board for Wildlife in its 22nd Meeting held on 25th
April 2011 accepted the report of the ECCKLS. The Ministry of Environment and Forests has
communicated the recommendation of the Standing Committee of National Board for Wildlife
to the State Government of Andhra Pradesh and presently, there is no proposal to amend
the Wild Life (protection) Act, 1972 for this purpose.