Deputy Chief Minister to Pawan Kalyan, who organized an inspection meeting on the wetlands in Mangalagiri on Tuesday. | Photo Credit: By Agreement
Andhra Pradesh embarked on the historical initiative to identify and maintain 16 main wetlands throughout the state and described the first of its kind in South India, said the Deputy Minister and Minister of the Forest and the Environment Pawan Kalyan.
The State Wetland Office convened on Tuesday at his camp office in Mangalagiri, where Mr. Kalyan stressed that the protection of wetlands is essential for environmental protection, recharge of groundwater and sustainable tourism development.
He noted that identified wetlands include areas in sompeta and mandals melts that will develop into a large corridor of ecological tourism bridging thousands of acres. Special bird protection centers are also planned in Veerapuram and sacred places of Rajahmundra to protect rare species and attract tourists.
Kalyan emphasized the progress of Andhra Pradesh and said the state has 23,450 wetlands, of which 99.3% completed digital border mapping. It is expected that the remaining physical definition will be completed by the 28th October by the coordinated efforts of the Department of Forest, Revenue and Survey. “The identification and protection of wetlands will create opportunities for ecological tourism and at the same time provide natural resources for future generations,” he added.
Proposals for the establishment of the Lake Administration Office in Koller for international recognition Ramsar were also submitted with plans for recognition of similar recognition for other wetlands.
Mr. Kalyan remembered his visit to the wetlands Sompet during his Padayatra in 2018 and noted that the area then suffered from interventions and poor supervision. “It is satisfactory to see the official recognition now and prepare the way for protection and development,” he said.
The meeting was attended by higher officials from CCLA, Panchayat Raj & Rural Development, PCCF, Forest Department, WWF India and leading scientists who discussed the mapping of wetlands, nature protection and ecotourism strategy throughout the state.
Published – October 14, 2025 9:26
