The lake was an important habitat for an estimated 20 million resident and migratory birds, including the grey or spot-billed pelican (Pelecanus philippensis).

[6] Kolleru Lake under Ramsar Convention (allowing local communities (Here: Vaddi Community) to continue their occupation of culture fish and caught fish) covers 90,100 hectares (222,600 acres) and Kolleru Lake under Wildlife Sanctuary covers 166,000 acres (67,200 ha).

This is in addition to the loss of ecological diversity and intrusion of sea water into the land masses and its fallout in terms of adverse influence on the rainfall pattern in this region.

Due to the promulgation of bunds of illegal fish tanks blocking water flow, there has been a cessation of water drainage into the sea, causing excessive flooding and subsequent adverse effects on the thousands of acres of crops in the upper reaches of the sanctuary.

Rich in flora and fauna, the lake had always attracted migratory birds from Northern Asia and Eastern Europe, between the months of October and March.

Two copper plates have been found in the lake, tracing its history to reign of the Eastern Ganga rulers, the Suryavamsi Gajapatis of Odisha at the height of their power in the 15th century under the reign of Kapilendra Deva, the first Suryavamsi Gajapati emperor, and the boundary of the Kalinga empire (Ancient Odisha).

The sanctuary is approachable from all four sides of the lake by road, directly to the following places: Hotels are available in the nearby towns/cities of Eluru, Bhimavaram, Narsapur, Palakollu, Kaikaluru, Akividu, Rajamahendravaram, Vijayawada and Machilipatnam.