Kolleru lake would be developed at a cost of nearly Rs 860 crore over five years as the international non-governmental agency, Wetland International South Asia, has prepared proposals to that effect at the behest of the state government. Of the total cost proposed for development, a whopping Rs 500 crore has been allocated for water management works. It includes managing the water flow in and out of the lake, avoidance of inundation and drying of lake, avoiding sour-ces of pollution of lake water, promoting traditional aquaculture and agriculture in the peripherals of the lake and developing the catchment area of the lake, an integrated approach to promote eco-tourism to provide livelihood to local people. Islands will be formed and saplings will be planted in the sanctuary limits for birds as well as for wildlife. A buffer zone around the sanctuary will also be deve-loped and preserved. As the existing roads divide the lake into several parts obstr-ucting the free flow of water in the lake, vents are going to be formed to facilitate free flow of water. The forest and revenue authorities have carried out a survey to demarcate the territorial limits of the wild-life sanctuary spread over about 77,000 acres. Based on the directions from the Central Empowered Committee, they would install pillars at standard intervals with certain specifications to set up boundaries for the sanctuary limits. They are facing resistance from local people claiming these lands at certain pockets. They are making efforts to acquire patta lands falling under the sanctuary limits and funds are to be mobi-lised to pay compensation to those affected. Principal chief conservator of forests (Wildlife), Mr Hiten Malhotra, in an exclusive interview to this newspaper said, "A study on the environment and flow of water in and out of the lake was taken up by the WISA at a cost of Rs 30 lakh at the behest of the state government. Once the study report is submitted, it will be a green signal to execute works, probably by the end of this year. The funding agency for such a project has also been identified. We will start developmental works at the lake soon." Meanwhile, any proposed changes to the lake and sanctuary in any aspect are subject to approval from the Centre, Supreme Court and the National Board of Wild Life, he added.