Kolleru Lake & Bird Sanctuary

Kolleru Lake is the largest freshwater lake. Between Krishna and Godavari delta Kolleru is located. Spanning into two districts - Krishna and West Godavari Kolleru is the good sightseeing. The lake serves as a natural flood-balancing reservoir for these two rivers. The lake is fed directly by water from the seasonal Budameru and Tammileru lakes, and is connected to the Krishna and Godavari systems by over 68 inflowing drains and channels.

The lake was an important habitat for an estimated 20 million resident and migratory birds, including the Grey or Spot-billed Pelican. The lake was notified as a wildlife sanctuary in November 1999 under India's Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972, and designated a wetland of international importance in November 2002 under the international Ramsar Convention. The wildlife sanctuary covers an area of 308 km².

Kolleru Bird

Rich in flora and fauna, it attracts migratory birds from northern Asia and Eastern Europe between the months of October and March. During this season, the lake is visited by an estimated 20,00,000 birds. The resident birds include grey pelicans, Asian Open-billed Storks (Anastomus oscitans), Painted Storks (Mycteria leucocephala), Glossy Ibises, White Ibises, Teals, Pintails, Shovellers. The migratory birds include Red-Crested Pochards, Blackwinged Stilts, Avocets, Common Redshanks, Wigeons, Gadwalls and Cormorants, Garganys, Herons, Flamingos & among others.

Kolleru lake contains numerous fertile islets called lanka's,many of the small ones are submerged during floods. The origine of unusual depression which forms the bed of the lake is unknown, but it was possibly the results of an earthquake. There fore many ancient villages are precepted in the bed of the lake as a result of floods and earthquake.

Two copper plates of the early Pallava dynasty have been found in the lake, traces its history to Langula Narasimha Deva(Langulya Gajapathi Raju) an Ganga Vanshi Orissa king, (Oddi/Oriya raju) . According to legend, the Gajapathi fort was located at Kolleti Kota on one of the eastern islands of the lake. The enemy general "muhammadan" encamped at "Chiguru kota" located on the shores. In some ways, the lake protected the Oriya forces. The enemy finally try to excavated a channel, the modern-day Upputeru, so that the water of the lake would empty into the sea and the level would fall so that they could attack the Gajapathi fort.

The royal Oriya army general sacrificed his own daughter to propitiate Gods and ensure his success against muhammadan and her name was "Perantala Kanama". Therefore the channel was called Perantala Kanama.Sri Peddinti Ammavari Temple is one of the oldest and famous temples found in kolleru.The Gajapatis were a medieval Hindu Surya Vanshi dynasty of Orissa, parts of Andhra Pradesh and West Bengal. During the glorious reign of Kapilendra deva, the first Suryavamsi Gajapati king,the boundary of the Kalinga empire(Ancient Orissa) was from river Ganga(Hoogly river) in North to Kaveri in South and from Amarkantak in West to Bay of Bengal(Kalinga Sagara) in east.

Kolleru Lake Map

Kolleru Bird Sanctuary

Kolleru Lake is one of the largest fresh water lakes in India with a variety of wildlife that resides inside and around it. Kolleru Lake Bird Sanctuary is located near the Kolleru Fresh Water Lake located at the deltaic region of the Krishna and the Godavari district. Kolleru Lake Bird Sanctuary got its name from the Kolleru lake of Andhra Pradesh, which is very popular throughout India as it is the largest fresh water lakes. The Kolleru lake is connected to the Krishna and Godavari river systems by 30 inflowing drains and channels. The area in the vicinity of the Kolleru Fresh Water Lake is considered suitable habitats for birds and hence the Kolleru Lake Bird Sanctuary is situated there. Ornithologists who are looking for a dynamic ecosystem with a complex association of both floral and faunal species may find the Kolleru Lake Bird Sanctuary as the right place to visit.

The Kolleru Bird Sanctuary is rich in a diverse variety of flora and fauna and is a natural home for a number of birds. A large number of migratory birds flock to this region during the winter season.


Kolleru Lake Sanctuary, Andhra Pradesh is a haven for these birds looking for a proper shelter. The Kolleru Lake Bird Sanctuary is located just 65 kilometers away from Vijaywada. Nature lovers find an apt place for themselves at Kolleru Wildlife Sanctuary. Migratory Birds from Australia, Siberia, Egypt and Philippines assemble near the Kolleru Lake in search of a suitable place for their survival. This bird sanctuary is also known by the name Colair Lake in Andhra Pradesh. The Kolleru Lake Bird Sanctuary occupies an area of 673 sq kilometers and is situated between the deltas of the Krishna and Godavari rivers, in Krishna and West Godavari districts. Its rich and diverse variety of flora and fauna makes the sanctuary a natural home for a number of birds and hence plays an important role in the ecological system.

Varieties of birds like Widgeons, Gadwalls, Cormorants and Avocets are the common variety of birds there. Different types of water fowls are also found in the Kolleru Lake. The water tank known as Muthyraju Tank is located near the same region. The best season to visit here is between Novembers to March. The ecosystem of the Kolleru Lake Bird Sanctuary supports habitat for over 50,000 resident and migratory birds, including the Grey or Spot-billed Pelican. Numerous birds species such as Open Bill Storks, Painted Storks, Glossy Ibises, White Ibises, Teals, Pintails, Shovellers, Red-Crested Pochards, Blackwinged Stilts, Avocets, Common Redshanks, Wigeons, Gadwalls and Cormorants Widgeons are considered common in the sanctuary. The Kolleru Lake Bird Sanctuary also harbors different types of water fowls. Laden rich in floral and faunal biodiversities, migratory birds from Australia, Siberia, Egypt and the Philippines come to the Kolleru Lake Bird Sanctuary in search of a suitable place for their survival.

Birds at Kolleru Lake

Kolleru Lake Bird Sanctuary: Tourists information

Climate : The climate of the region is characterized by dry, hot, and humid weather. Maximum temperature shoots up to 45 degree celsius in summer and the minimum temperature dips down to 14 degree celsius in winter during the period between December and January.

Best time to visit :The period between November to March is considered the best time to observe these itinerant birds in the sanctuary.

How to Reach there
By Road : Kolleru Lake Bird Sanctuary is 60 km away from Vijayawada, 15-km from Eluru, 1.5-km from Kaikaluru town, 8-km from Nidamarru, and 3-km from Gudivakalankas.
By Rail : The Kolleru Lake Bird Sanctuary is 60 km away from the Vijayawada railway station.
By Air : Vijayawada Airport is considered the nearest airport to the Kolleru Lake Bird Sanctuary.