The Castlereigh reservoir is considered a high-value resource by Ceylon Tea Trails, the World’s First Bungalow Resort, promoting responsible nature-based and adventure tourism in the central highlands of Sri Lanka. The reservoir was created as Sri Lanka’s first mini-hydro power generation project, by damming the KehelgamuOya – a major tributary of the Kelani River. Located in the Central Province, the reservoir also gets fed by the DikOya, a minor tributary.
In an attempt to increase the potential of the reservoir for water sports and in general consideration of uplifting of the environment surrounding the Ceylon Tea Trails Bungalows located overlooking the reservoir, a field visit to the bungalows, reservoir and its feeding canals and streams was carried out recently based on the agreement signed between Dilmah Conservation and the Sri Lanka Business and Biodiversity Platform. Secretariat staff and experts visited the Dick Oya area of the Castlereigh reservoir and made observations on the surroundings of the Castlereigh reservoir and its feeding canals.Discussions were had with officials of Ceylon Tea Trails the Central Environmental Authority, the Ceylon Electricity Board, Department of Aquaculture,NuwaraEliya the Ambagamuwa Divisional Secretariat and the local Fishermen’s Cooperative Society, in order to obtain their inputs on the issue at hand.
Impacting negatively on the aesthetic beauty of the area is accumulated solid waste in the Castlereigh reservoir due to unregulated and haphazard waste disposal and dumping in the area.Under the guidance of Solid Waste Management expert, Dr Sumith Pilapitiya, the Platform will facilitate a sustainable solid waste management programme with the participation of all stakeholders.
Systematic assessments, water quality analysis and awareness creation will constitute the programme, the first phase of which will last for one year.
