The Cabinet of Ministers has granted approval to establish a coordinated, scientifically based management mechanism aimed at rehabilitating and preserving the environmental and water quality of Gregory Lake in Nuwara Eliya. The decision follows a proposal submitted by the Minister of Environment to ensure the sustainable conservation of the lake and its surrounding catchment areas.
Recognizing its ecological significance, the government previously designated Gregory Lake and its immediate surroundings as an Environmental Protection Area through an Extraordinary Gazette notification issued on March 5, 2007. However, recent observations have revealed a significant deterioration in both the water quality and the surrounding ecosystem due to various human activities.
Studies conducted by the Central Environmental Authority (CEA) confirmed that the levels of phosphate, nitrogen, and biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) in the lake's water currently exceed standard permissible limits. Authorities have identified several major contributing factors, including decades of sediment buildup in the lake and connecting waterways, the inflow of agricultural runoff containing fertilizers and pesticides, and the discharge of urban wastewater and solid waste.
To urgently address these issues, the Cabinet has decided to appoint an Oversight and Management Committee chaired by the Deputy Minister of Environment. Furthermore, a dedicated official committee named the "Gregory Lake Conservation and Rehabilitation Action Committee" will be established, comprising representatives from relevant state agencies tasked with driving the restoration efforts.
