Kolleru Lake, Eluru

Kolleru forms the largest shallow fresh water lake in Asia. The Kolleru Lake situated about 15 kms from Eluru is a nature's paradise. Kolleru Lake is the best place for nature lovers and for people looking for peace and tranquility. Kolleru Lake is located between the delta of Godavari and Krishna Rivers and functions as a natural flood balancing reservoir between these two deltas. The lake supports about 63 species of fishes, fresh water turtles and other amphibians, apart from being a habitat for many migratory birds that forms Kolleru Bird Sanctuary. Kolleru Lake is said to be one of the very few breeding sites of Grey Pelican. The water in the lake comes from the two seasonal rivers- the Budameru and the Tammileru, besides 30 inflowing drains and channels. Kolleru Lake attained a status of Ramsar Site (Wetland of International Standards) in November 2002.

The Kolleru Bird Sanctuary, that covers about 673 square kilometers of marsh land, is situated adjoining the lake. For those interested in bird watching, Kolleru Bird Sanctuary is a must-visit as it is a home to many migratory birds from Australia, Siberia, Egypt and Philippines. If you want to be a part of this nature's wonder, visit Eluru between November and March when the birds like Open Bill Storks, painted Storks, Glossary Ibises, White Ibises, Teals, Pintails, Shovellers, Red-Crested Pochards, black-winged Stilts, Avocets, Common Redshanks, Winged Stilts, Avocets, Common Redshanks, Pigeons, Gadwalls and Cormorants and many others make Kolleru Lake their destination. You'll be wondered but there are about 2 lakh birds that visit this lake every year during these months.

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