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JUDGEMENT

Delivered by Smt. Justice Pushpa Sathyanarayana, Judicial Member.

1. The applicant, who is a retired Principal of the Government College, has been striving for the protection of the Kolleru Lake for the last three decades. Kolleru Lake is said to be one of Asia’s largest freshwater ecosystems and also a Ramsar site of international importance. Renowned for its biodiversity and critical role; in supporting the migratory bird population, the lake is now threatened by encroachments, pollution and sustainable development. Failure to protect the lake by the State Government, based on the previous ruling of the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India as well as the Hon’ble High Court of Andhra Pradesh, these applications are filed to safeguard the Kolleru Lake.

2. The applicant initially sent a letter petition dated 29.04.2022 to the Principal Bench of the National Green Tribunal, New Delhi, which was treated and registered as Original Application No.598 of 2022 (PB). Subsequently, it was transferred to this Bench and renumbered as Original Application No.16 of 2023 (SZ). In the meantime, the applicant filed another application, Original Application No.03 of 2023 (SZ), through counsel be