Bandaara Kilhi Explained

Bandaara Kilhi (literally "State Lake") is one of the two fresh water lakes in Fuvahmulah, Maldives.

The lake covers about 0.058sqkm and averages 15 feet deep, which makes it the largest lake by volume in the Maldives accommodating the largest freshwater reserve in the country.^[1] Bounded by dense vegetations of mainly ferns, Screwpine, tropical almond, cheese fruit, Banana trees, coconut palms, taro fields, and a few mango trees. Among local riparian creatures are the common moorhen, exclusively found in Fuvahmulah nationally and Maldivian white-breasted waterhen (Amaurornis phoenicurus maldivus), which is an endemic species of the Maldives.^{[2] [3]}

Most of the lake is in Maalegan ward, the rest is in Miskiymagu.

Today fish from the lake are not used for eating. Unlike, Dhadimagi Kilhi in the north of the island, Bandaara Kilhi is not used by the locals for swimming due to the depth and muddy shorelines.^[4]

To compliment Fuvahmulah Harbour's opening in 2003, the lake's jetty and observation deck was built.^[4] Since 2011 two huts and a restaurant in Maldivian cultural style with the roofs thatched with coconut palm leaves have stood on the shores. A custom is feeding the tilapia and variety of creatures which inhabit the lake from local small craft.^{[3] [5]}

Bandaara Kilhi is a protected area of Fuvahmulah since 12 June 2012, nationally, and by the local atoll council since five months before.^{[6] [7]}

Notes and References

1. Web site: Bandaara Kilhi . 24 July 2024 . Visit Fuvahmulah.
2. Web site: 6 December 2011 . Common Moorhen; Exclusive Bird To Fuvahmulak In The Maldives . 24 July 2024 . BLUEPEACE Maldives.
3. News: Jameel . Abdulla . 30 October 2012 . ފުވައްމުލަކުގެ ހިތްގައިމު ސަރަހައްދުގައި ހިތްގައިމު ރެސްޓޯރަންޓެއް . Restaurant opened in Fuvahmulah . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20140221130326/http://www.haveeru.com.mv/dhivehi/bandaara_kilhi/129261 . 21 February 2014 . 2 February 2014 . . dv.
4. Web site: 11 December 2011 . Photo of Khili . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20140219174538/http://www.panoramio.com/photo/63361639 . 19 February 2014 . 2 February 2012 . Panoramio.
5. News: Adshan . Ahmed . 29 December 2011 . ފުވައްމުލަކު ބަންޑާރަ ކިޅީގެ ހަޓްތައް ކުއްޔަށް ދޭން ނިންމައިފި . Fuvahmulah's Bandaara Kilhi's hunts for rent . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20140221122159/http://www.haveeru.com.mv/dhivehi/bandaara_kilhi/114884 . 21 February 2014 . 2 February 2012 . Haveeru Daily.
6. Web site: 18 June 2012 . Three areas in Fuvahmulah island declared as Protected Areas . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20140219091639/http://www.mhe.gov.mv/v1/news/three-areas-in-fuvahmulah-island-declared-as-protected-areas/ . 19 February 2014 . 2 February 2014 . Ministry of Housing and Environment.
7. Web site: Bandaara kilhi and surrounding wetland area . 24 July 2024 . Maldives Protected Areas . Ministry of Climate Change, Environment and Energy.