In the quiet, rain-washed village of Boralugoda, a remarkable story of science, persistence, and quiet resistance has been unfolding for decades. At its center is Research Scientist and artist Shantha Jayaweera, who has spent nearly 40 years studying, documenting, and defending one of the richest freshwater ecosystems in Sri Lanka.
A Biodiversity Hotspot
Jayaweera’s work focuses on a fragile world beneath the surface of flowing water, increasingly under threat. He notes that “Sri Lanka holds a very special place in global freshwater biodiversity,” and Boralugoda is one of the most extraordinary pockets within the island. Located within the lowland wet zone—an area nurtured by year-round rainfall and dense vegetation—Boralugoda supports 53 freshwater fish species, the highest number recorded in any inland location in the country.
Of these 53 species, 26 are endemic—found nowhere else—and 23 are currently threatened, ranging from vulnerable to critically endangered.
The Maguru River’s Delicate Balance
Flowing through this hotspot is the Maguru River, a relatively tiny river with an outsized ecological role. Originating in the rainforest-covered Morapitiya area, the river’s clarity allows sunlight to penetrate and sustain aquatic life. Its structure, shifting from fast-flowing rocky sections to sandy, unhurried-moving areas, supports a diverse range of species adapted to each habitat.
The area is also crisscrossed by a dense network of streams that act as nurseries, refuges, and migration pathways for many species. The surrounding landscape—a mix of rainforest, home gardens, tea estates, and cultivated lands—further enhances habitat diversity.
Threats to the Ecosystem
However, this delicate balance is under pressure. Large-scale sand mining since the early 2000s has “completely altered” the riverbed, leading to the loss of aquatic plants, riverbank trees, and habitats. The endangered Red Neck Goby has grow locally extinct as a result. The spread of lowland tea cultivation since the 1990s, often without regard for existing environmental regulations requiring buffer zones, is contributing to habitat loss.
Jayaweera, through the Organisation for Aquatic Resources Management (OARM), has been working to replant rainforest species, restore stream banks, and raise awareness within local communities. He also uses his skills as an artist to visually depict the beauty and importance of these ecosystems, believing that art can create an emotional connection and inspire conservation efforts.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes Boralugoda so ecologically significant?
Boralugoda supports 53 freshwater fish species, with 26 being endemic to the area and 23 currently threatened. This makes it the most species-rich inland freshwater location in Sri Lanka.
What are the primary threats to the Maguru River ecosystem?
The primary threats are large-scale sand mining, which has altered the riverbed and led to species extinction, and the expansion of tea cultivation, which has resulted in the loss of riverbank vegetation and protective buffer zones.
What is being done to protect this ecosystem?
Shantha Jayaweera, through the Organisation for Aquatic Resources Management (OARM), is leading conservation and restoration efforts, including replanting rainforest species, restoring stream banks, and raising community awareness.
As the Maguru River flows through Boralugoda, it carries a story of resilience, and Shantha Jayaweera continues his work, hoping This proves not too late to safeguard this hidden world. What role do local communities play in protecting fragile ecosystems like Boralugoda?
