Boga Lake (বগা লেক)

Boga Lake, also called Bogakain Lake, lies in the hills of Ruma Upazila in Bandarban District, in the Chittagong Hill Tracts of southeastern Bangladesh. It sits at about 1,246 feet (380 metres) above sea level and covers roughly 15 acres, surrounded by forested slopes.

Geologists describe it as a natural lake that formed in a hollow in the hills, possibly the crater of an old volcano or a sinkhole, though its origin is still debated. Local Bawm and Mro communities tell a legend about a dragon that lived in the hill and was killed, after which the ground sank and the lake appeared.

The water is deep and clear, and its colour changes with the season and light. There is no visible stream feeding the lake, and the water level stays fairly constant through the year. A Bawm village sits on the shore, where families offer simple cottages, home-cooked meals and bamboo shelters for visitors.

Boga Lake is the usual first overnight stop for trekkers heading to Keokradong and other high peaks of Bandarban. Evenings at the lake are cool and quiet, and the night sky is clear in the dry season.

The route runs by road from Bandarban town to Ruma Bazar, then by jeep in the dry season. Visitors must register with the army camp and police on the way, and a licensed local guide is usually required. Access rules can change for security reasons, so check current permissions before travelling.

How deep is Boga Lake?

Boga Lake has an average depth of about 38 metres, which explains its dark blue colour and why local guides warn visitors off swimming. Nearby, the spring called Boga Chhara is reported to reach 153 metres. Measurements of the surface vary between sources, from 15 acres to 18.56 acres, depending on season and where the shoreline is drawn.

Geologists who have studied it lean toward a simpler explanation than the volcano story: rainwater collecting in a closed basin in the hills each summer. The Bawm legend tells it differently. Villagers killed a deity who returned as a dragon, and the earthquake that followed brought the hillside down on their village, which became the lake.

Staying with Bawm families on the shore

The village on the bank was founded by Bawm families who moved from Saikot Para. Their wooden houses on stilts double as guest cottages, and meals are cooked by the host family. Families also farm tilapia in the lake, so fish often appears at dinner. Electricity is limited, often solar, and mobile signal is weak, so charge phones and power banks in Ruma before setting off.