Explore Lake Ol’ Bolossat 2024 / 25

Explore Lake Ol’ Bolossat 2024 / 25 : You must have read that subject twice to make sure you got the name right. That’s me from two years ago. Like you, I didn’t know about Lake Ol’ Bolossat until a friend told me about it. Being honest about this makes me feel bad because I say I love nature and want to protect it. Between the Aberdare Ranges and the Dundori Ridge is the beautiful Lake Ol’ Bolossat. At some point, intense human activities put the lake’s survival at risk until the government stepped in and saved it. But why should you care about Lake Ol’ Bolossat? These are my six reasons.

Unique Natural Feature.

Did you know that Nyandarua County and the Central area as a whole only have one lake? You have a huge duty to take care of just one lake. The lake gets water from springs, marshes, and the dense forests of the Central Highlands. The water then flows to smaller bodies of water. So, Lake Ol’ Bolossat is a lake with fresh water. Its isolation makes it an important trait for both people and animals that live nearby.

Feeds Major Watersheds.

Lake Ol’ Bolossat is very important because it feeds major water sources like the Thompson Falls and the Great Ewaso Nyiro River. What do you think would happen if the lake dried up? One of the most important rivers in Kenya is the Ewaso Nyiro. It brings water to the dry land in Laikipia, Isiolo, and Marsabit before it flows into Somalia. The river also feeds Thompson Falls, which is an important tourist spot and water source for people in and around Nyahururu. Because of this, Lake Ol’ Bolossat is very important for keeping other important water sources alive.

Important Bird Area.

Lake Ol’ Bolossat is the 61st Important Bird Area in Kenya which makes it the best bird watching safari destination. It is in the same group as the Arabuko Sokoke Forest and the Aberdare Mountains. Up to 300 kinds of birds live in the lake, with most of them passing through. Because it is so far away, the birds think this lake would be a good place to stop. Some people just use it to rest, while others come here to breed and have babies before moving on. The Grey Crowned Crane and the Yellow-beaked Egyptian Goose are two of the many birds that live in this lake. When it comes to the same subject, it’s interesting to know that Lake Ol’ Bolossat always has the most Grey Crowned Cranes in Kenya. There are up to 1000 of them, especially when it’s breeding season. The cranes mate and lay their eggs in the marshy area around the lake.

Wildlife Diversity.

Lake Ol’ Bolossat is home to more than just birds. It is also home to many hippopotamus families, many fish types, and other small water animals. Wild animals like lions and cheetahs don’t live in the area, but zebras and gazelles have been seen on occasion.

Source of water and Livelihood.

People and animals both depend on the lake to stay alive. Local hunters say there are a lot of catfish in the lake, which they sell at local markets to make money. Lake Ol’ Bolossat also provides water for farming and other household needs, which keeps the area running smoothly.

Protected by Kenyan Law.

Prof. Judi Wakhungu, who was Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Water, and Natural Resources at the time, made Lake Ol’ Bolossat a Wetland Protected Area on January 28, 2015. With the help of the Kenya Wildlife Service and the National Lands Commission, she also made sure that Kenyan law protected the lake. No longer did private people or groups have any rights or titles to the land. Professor Judi said that Lake Ol’ Bolossat’s ecology was “awesome,” and she promised to keep it that way. She made this promise after the lake almost died out because of unchecked fishing around it.