Andhra Pradesh is on the verge of creating its first-ever Conservation Reserve, with the ecologically rich Kondakarla Ava wetland in Anakapalle district set to receive protected status. The move is expected to provide long-term legal protection to one of the state’s most important freshwater ecosystems while promoting sustainable livelihoods for local communities.

Located around 50 km southwest of Visakhapatnam, Kondakarla Ava is Andhra Pradesh’s second-largest natural freshwater lake after Kolleru. Fed by the Sarada River and Anakapalle Ava, the lake supports agriculture, inland fisheries and an extraordinary diversity of wildlife, making it one of the state’s most valuable wetlands.

The proposed reserve covers about 700 acres. District authorities have coordinated with the forest, irrigation, fisheries, tourism and revenue departments to finalise its boundaries and management plan before the proposal receives government approval. Once notified, Kondakarla Ava will become Andhra Pradesh’s first Conservation Reserve and add to India’s growing network of protected conservation reserves.

The lake is a paradise for birdlife, supporting more than 123 species of birds, including pheasant-tailed jacanas, purple swamphens, bitterns, tufted ducks and fulvous whistling-ducks. It is also home to the vulnerable smooth-coated otter, over 20 species of fish, and 24 species of aquatic plants, making it a biodiversity hotspot on India’s east coast.

The conservation initiative is expected to benefit both wildlife and people. More than 100 fishing families depend on the lake for their livelihoods, using traditional palm-log boats for fishing. Officials believe the reserve will improve habitat protection, attract conservation funding, strengthen eco-tourism opportunities and ensure sustainable management of natural resources.

Conservationists have welcomed the proposal while urging authorities to balance tourism with ecological protection. Experts have recommended planting native trees for nesting birds, improving waste management, establishing an interpretation centre, and involving nearby villages in conservation activities to ensure long-term success.

Kondakarla Ava is the only major freshwater wetland along the coast between Kolleru and Chilika, making it exceptionally important for migratory birds and groundwater recharge. Environmentalists say the proposed Conservation Reserve status is a long-overdue step that could safeguard the lake from encroachment, pollution and habitat degradation while preserving its unique biodiversity for future generations.