The Hindu Business Line : NGO concern over Kolleru fish tanks destruction

Lok Satta, a non-governmental organisation, has said that the destruction of fish tanks in the Kolleru lake area could not bring back the past glory of the lake.

Dr Jayaprakash Narayan, National Convener of Lok Satta, said the massive operation to bring down these tanks would rob thousands of people of their livelihoods.

Citing a recent survey conducted by the NGO, he said 99 per cent of the locals were against the present policy of the Government. The NGO, in association with the Centre for Media Studies, had conducted survey in 36 villages last month, with a sample size of 25,941, in West Godavari and Krishna districts.

Locals' opinion

Addressing a press conference here on Monday, he said the people of Kolleru had rejected "this misguided concept of restoring the past glory of the lake".

On calls for protection of environment and creation of conducive atmosphere for migratory birds, he said birds and humans could coexist together. He suggested that an area of 33,570 acres could be set aside as a sanctuary.

He said industrial effluents and municipal sewage, and not fish tanks, were the major sources of pollution of the lake.

Alleging that the administration resorted to unconstitutional methods to stop the activists from collecting public opinion, he said a committee of experts would be set to study the problems and come out with a solution.

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