Bolgoda is the largest freshwater wetland in Sri Lanka with two interconnected lakes located in the southern boundary of Colombo District and extending to the Kalutara District. Bolgoda Lakes extends through six divisional secretariat divisions of Ratmalana, Kesbewa, Moratuwa (Colombo District), Panadura, Bandaragama and Kalutara (Kalutara District). Bolgoda freshwater resources experience diverse land use conditions including prime industrial zones and one of the largest garbage dumps. Mutually beneficial and sustainable human interactions with Bolgoda seem a rare encounter. The Global Nature Fund has listed Bolgoda lakes as one of the “Threatened Lakes of the Year 2018.” It has also been named as “One of the natural wonders that one must see before you die.”
Despite Bolgoda having such a high ecological, social and economic value, utilizing them sustainably towards the development activities does not seem to exist. Enhancing awareness about this unique system, especially among the local/neighboring communities seems essential to minimize man-made disruptions. Protective, preventive and rectification measures are needed appropriately to minimize the damage to this valuable ecosystem while identifying how to make use of it by people sustainably. The importance of protecting the Bolgoda Ecosystem contains the largest freshwater lake in Sri Lanka needs to be highlighted as its connection to achieving Sustainable Development Goals, especially goal no. 6 (clean water and sanitation), goal number 11 (sustainable cities and communities), goal number 13 (climate action), goal number 14 (life below water), goal number 15 (life on land).
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