An Integrated management plan to sustain the restoration of Lunawa lake

Abstract

Lunawa Lake, located in the western coastal belt south of Colombo (Sri Lanka) is a small lagoon of 20 ha. with a catchment area of 6.15 km2 Industrial effluent discharged through the storm water drainage system connected to the lake and urbanization had converted the Lunawa Lake into one of the most polluted lakes in Sri Lanka. Encroachment of drainage canals by the inhabitants and sand bar formation at the mouth of the lagoon had caused serious flood problems in the catchment during rainy season. Lunawa Environment Improvement and Community Development Project which is being implemented with JICA fundings helps to convert the polluted Lunawa Lake from an eyesore to an environmentally attractive lake and alleviates flood damage through an improved storm water drainage system. Apart from the engineering works, series of community upgrading activities have also been carried out to uplift the quality of life of the low-income inhabitants of the catchment. The maintenance of the improved lake system is of prime importance for sustainability of the project. The water quality monitoring reveals the signs of gradual transformation of the polluted lake into a more acceptable water body and this is more so evident by the emerging aquatic life and flocking of birds in the lake. This research intends to provide overall insights on Canal and lake water pollution sources in terms of point and non point including identification of stake holders involvement in the Lunawa Lake basin area those who may change the quality of basin environment towards the direction of positive or negative sides as a result of their direct or indirect interventions. The ultimate intention of this research is to fInd out an Action Plan to form a well-defined integrated type stake holders' initiated "Lake Basin Management Plan to Sustain the Restored Lunawa Lake Basin" iii