Fri Feb 06 14:42:26 UTC 2026: Headline: Villagers Clash with Forest Officials Over Illegal Fish Tanks in Kolleru Wildlife Sanctuary

The Story:

Tension escalated near Paidichintapadu village on Thursday, February 6, 2026, as farmers and residents staged a sit-in protest, obstructing Forest Department officials from entering the Kolleru Wildlife Sanctuary. The protest stems from a long-standing dispute concerning the sanctuary’s boundaries and the livelihood rights of local communities. Villagers blocked all entry points, preventing officials from accessing illegal fish tanks, approximately 50 acres of which remain after earlier demolitions of about 250 acres.

The conflict intensified when officials attempted to prevent residents from pumping water into these tanks. While the Forest Department cites Supreme Court orders and environmental regulations to justify their actions, villagers, led by former ZPTC member Saidu Satyanarayana, argue that sanctuary regulations are economically devastating, evidenced by mass youth migration. They vow to resist further government intervention until a legal resolution is achieved.

Key Points:

  • Farmers and residents protested, blocking Forest Department officials from entering Kolleru Wildlife Sanctuary.
  • The dispute centers around the sanctuary’s boundaries and villagers’ livelihood rights.
  • Approximately 50 acres of illegal fish tanks remain in the village, following earlier demolitions of around 250 acres.
  • Villagers are preventing officials from pumping water into the tanks.
  • Saidu Satyanarayana, a former ZPTC member, leads the villagers’ protest.
  • Villagers threaten to fill in any trenches dug by the department to reclaim land.
  • Forest officials claim illegal aquaculture poses serious ecological risks.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Kolleru Wildlife Sanctuary dispute highlights the complex intersection of environmental protection and local livelihoods.
  • Enforcement of environmental regulations can lead to significant social and economic consequences for affected communities.
  • The conflict underscores the need for definitive legal resolutions and potentially alternative livelihood options for those impacted by conservation efforts.

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