Jana Sena Party president and Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan, who also holds the Environment and Forests portfolio, is currently facing a challenging situation regarding large-scale encroachments in Kolleru Lake.
Located in the West Godavari district, Kolleru Lake has witnessed significant encroachments in recent years. These have disrupted natural water inflows, leading to frequent flooding in the region.
In 2006, then Chief Minister Y. S. Rajasekhar Reddy, acting on Supreme Court directives, launched "Operation Kolleru."
Thousands of illegal fish ponds were destroyed using crude methods, including explosives. However, the operation eventually lost momentum due to strong protests from local communities.
Recently, a fresh petition filed in the Supreme Court has renewed pressure on the state government. While the state has committed to removing the encroachments within three months, implementation on the ground has been sluggish.
As the Environment Minister, Pawan Kalyan now finds himself in a dilemma. A crackdown on the encroachments risks alienating local communities, while inaction could lead to legal consequences.
In light of this, the Jana Sena Party released a statement emphasizing that the responsibility for key decisions rests with Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu, given his extensive experience in handling complex governance issues.
The statement also criticized previous governments for their mishandling of the 2006 operation, accusing them of insensitivity and politicizing the Kolleru issue — from the YSR era to the YSRCP regime — for political gain.
Jana Sena reiterated its commitment to striking a balance between environmental protection and the livelihoods of those dependent on the lake.
It stated that Pawan Kalyan, in his capacity as Deputy CM and Environment Minister, is actively consulting with officials, experts, and local residents to arrive at a fair and sustainable solution.
Expressing full confidence in Naidu’s leadership, the statement concluded that the coalition government is committed to resolving the Kolleru issue with sincerity — ensuring both environmental conservation and the safeguarding of local livelihoods.
