Bhimtal lake in Uttarakhand is drying up

Bhimtal lake dries up in Nainital
by Vipul Goel

Bhimtal (Uttarakhand): The famous Bhimtal lake, a perennial lake in Bhimtal town in Uttarakhand, is drying up following human encroachment, silting and scanty rainfall. Illegal construction in the catchment area and increasing levels of silt and pollution, threaten the existence of the lake, one of the ecological assets of the region. The lake once had massive bamboo forests around that helped retain water, but now its just weed. The forests have been cleared for construction. The environmentalists say that it is rather surprising the maps of such buildings, which can be dangerous to the ground water sources in the catchment area, are so easily approved. "One of the main reason is the massive construction in the area. There are big hotels and colonies coming up in the catchment area of the lake, and I wonder how their maps get approved? The water sources of the lake are drying up because of all this construction. Secondly, it has also rained less this year," said Ajay Ravat, an environmentalist. This year, it is also the scanty rainfall that has affected the water level in the lake. The monsoons have been way below normal and the lake that used to be water filled this time of the year, presents a dismal picture. The situation of the lake also threatens the various aquatic species it houses. Environmentalists believe that the lake can replenish if the ground water table increases, which can only happen with rainwater, which this time is a distant possibility. The repercussions of the situation are being seen on the tourism industry as well, the number of tourists in the city is way lower than normal. And as a result businesses of all kinds are being affected.
-July 27, 2009

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