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Location
: Near Eluru and 60-km From Vijayawada, West Godavari
District.
Coverage Ara : 673-sq-km.
Main Attractions : The Largest Fresh Water Lake In The
Country.
Best Time To Visit : October to May.
Accommodation : Forest rest houses at Vijayawada & Eluru
Arrival Information :
-- By Rail : The nearest
Railway station is Vijayawada, which is 60-km away from the Sanctuary.
-- By 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. 
It
is located 60-km away from Vijayawada near Eluru, West Godavari
district. It is the largest fresh Water Lake in the country. This
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 here.
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