Bolgoda Lake
Bolgoda Lake or Bolgoda River (Sinhala: බොල්ගොඩ වැව, Tamil: போல்கோடா ஏரி) is a freshwater lake in the Western Province of Sri Lanka, straddling the border between Colombo District and Kalutara District. It consists of two main bodies of water, a Northern portion and a Southern portion, connected by a waterway called Bolgoda River. The lake drains into the sea at the estuary in Panadura.[3]
Bolgoda Lake | |
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Bolgoda Lake | |
Bolgoda Lake Location of Bolgoda Lake | |
Location | |
Coordinates | 6°46′16″N 79°54′27″E |
Native name | |
Basin countries | Sri Lanka |
Surface area | 374 square kilometres (144 sq mi)[1] |
Islands | 13[2] |
Settlements | Panadura |
Bolgoda Lake is part of Bolgoda Environmental Protection Area,[4] gazetted in December 2009 and consisting of 5 subdivisions:
- Bolgoda Ganga
- Bolgoda North Lake
- Bolgoda South Lake
- Panadura Ganga
- Weras Ganga
Lake environment
Illegal constructions near the lake are a major emerging issue, with the Sri Lankan government claiming that 90% of constructions have not obtained the required environmental approval.[5] Pollution and irregular disposal of garbage are some other concerns facing the lake and its surroundings.[2] The Sri Lanka Navy and the Police are involved in efforts to protect the wetlands.[6]
Gallery
- A boat on Bolgoda Lake
- Bolgoda Lake captured through bamboo plants
- Prawn Fishing on Bolgoda Lake
References
- "Bolgoda Lake – Sri Lanka". Global Nature Fund. Retrieved 25 October 2020.
- "Privatising paradise: Bolgoda's plight". Ceylon Today. Ceylon Newspapers (Pvt) Ltd. 20 October 2019. Retrieved 25 October 2020.
- "Bolgoda Lake's glamour fades". Ceylon Daily News. Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd. 20 December 2019. Retrieved 25 October 2020.
- "Bolgoda Environmental Protection Area". Central Environmental Authority - Sri Lanka. Central Environmental Authority - Sri Lanka. Retrieved 25 October 2020.
- "Over 90% constructions around Bolgoda lake illegal - CEA". Ceylon Daily News. Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd. 21 October 2020. Retrieved 25 October 2020.
- "War over Bolgoda Lake". Daily Mirror. Wijeya Newspapers Ltd. 1 October 2019. Retrieved 25 October 2020.