Glow returns to Naini lake after removal of silt

Nainital, June 13

Glow has returned to the famous Naini lake here with the removal of mounds of silt around it.

Nainital District Magistrate Dipak Rawat said the declining water level had made ugly heaps around the moon-shaped lake, which is the centre of attraction for tourists visiting the town. This prompted the district administration to launch a drive to cleanse the lake of the mounds of silt and soil with the help of JCBs.

Lasting about a fortnight, the drive saw around 14,000 cubic metres of silt removed from around the lake, he said.

Reckoned among the country’s major tourist spots, Nainital is particularly famous for the Naini lake, spread over an area of 49 hectares. Boating in the lake, which flows at a height of 6,500 feet, is one of the main tourist attractions.

Deficit rainfall during winter this time had brought down the water level in the lake by about 6-7 feet, making silt deposits around the lake visible at Mallital and Tallital areas of the town, Rawat said.

Though boating in the lake did not face any obstructions because of the silt heaps, they were having a marring effect on the beauty of Nainital, also called the lake city, the DM said.

Declining water level of the lake had also caused a concern among environmentalists who consider overuse of the lake for water supply purposes during summer a major factor, apart from deficit rainfall, for water levels coming down in the lake.

With water consumption rising during summer, a major part of the pressure comes on Naini lake, noted environmentalist and Padamshri winner Anil Joshi said.

The District Magistrate said the removal of silt around the lake cost the district administration Rs 50 lakh.

However, Nainital had begun to receive rain and the level of Naini lake had also begun to rise. According to a study, 52 per cent of the water in the lake is contributed by rain. — PTI