Operation Kolleru Lake launched by the Andhra Pradesh Government to protect the freshwater body and its bountiful flora and fauna, seems to have paid off, with grey pelicans (Pelecanus philippensis) returning there in large numbers to nest. Over 350 nests have been recorded by the Forest Department in the Atapaka area alone. The water-spread area near Atapaka village that has now become part of Kaikaluru town in Krishna district was a refuge for several species of water birds. Thousands of birds of different species inhabit this part of Kolleru Lake November through February. But their numbers dwindled after large-scale aquaculture started here.