Andhra Pradesh: Kondakarla Ava Wetland Long Wait for Conservation Reserve Status

 Visakhapatnam: The Kondakarla Ava wetland, a unique natural treasure in the Atchutapuram and Munagapaka mandals of the Anakapalle district, has been aspiring to be a conservation reserve for a long.

This second largest freshwater wetland in Andhra Pradesh is a haven for numerous waterfowl and migratory birds that add to its unique charm.

In August 2022, district forest officer Ananth Shankar made efforts to designate Kondakarla Ava as a conservation reserve or a community conservation reserve. As Kondakarla Ava falls under the purview of the state irrigation department, obtaining a No Objection Certificate was obtained from the-then principal secretary. Yet, it has not been a conservation reserve till now.

DFO of Vizag, Ananth Shankar, told Deccan Chronicle, "Given that there is no existing conservation reserve in AP, the conversion of Kondakarla Ava into a community conservation reserve would prove beneficial, considering its status as the second largest wetland in the region.”

“We have submitted all the necessary documentation to the forest department."

The proposal is currently under review of the principal chief conservator of forests, head of forest forces (HoFF), and director general of forests.

Anakapalle district forest officer Jagannath Singh, who has been actively involved in the district delimitation, told Deccan Chronicle, "We have submitted a proposal to designate Kondakarla Ava freshwater wetland as a community conservation reserve. We are optimistic that the government will give its nod.”

On Feb 2, during World Wetlands Day celebrations, state principal chief conservator of forests, Chiranjiv Choudhary, said 26 prioritised wetlands identified by the World Wildlife Fund were referred to the state Wetland Authority for necessary action.

However, no action has been taken so far on Kondakarla Ava.

Conservation reserves and community reserves denote protected areas, which typically act as buffer zones to connectors and migration corridors between established national parks, wildlife sanctuaries and reserved and protected forests.

Such areas are designated as conservation areas if they are “uninhabited and wholly owned by the government but used for subsistence by communities and community areas if a part of the lands are privately owned.”

The involvement of local people and agencies like the Gram Panchayat in the administration of such reserves is crucial, as it fosters a sense of responsibility and engagement in the conservation process, it is noted.