Cabinet approval has been granted to formulate a rehabilitation and management mechanism to maintain the water quality and ecological integrity of Gregory Lake in Nuwara Eliya at an optimal level. Gregory Lake and its surrounding area were declared an Environmental Protection Area via an extraordinary gazette notification dated March 5, 2007. However, the lake's aquatic environment has significantly deteriorated due to various human activities occurring within its catchment areas and in the vicinity of the lake itself.
Recent studies conducted by the Central Environmental Authority have confirmed that levels of phosphates, nitrogen, and biochemical oxygen demand in the lake water exceed standard quality limits. Environmentalists have pointed out that this situation has arisen due to factors such as the accumulation of silt and sediment over decades, the inflow of agricultural runoff—including fertilizers and pesticides—and the discharge of urban wastewater and solid waste into the lake.
Accordingly, the Cabinet has decided to appoint a monitoring and management committee, chaired by the Deputy Minister of Environment, to oversee future conservation efforts for Gregory Lake. Furthermore, approval has been granted to appoint an official committee named the ‘Gregory Lake Conservation and Rehabilitation Action Committee,’ comprising representatives from the relevant state institutions.