Due to the lack of adequate rainfall and snowfall during the winter season coupled with excessive exploitation of water in the watershed region, the level of water in the famous Naini lake in Nainital is reported to be decreasing at an alarming rate.
The level of water in this lake after which Nainital is named, is reported to have gone lower by many feet consistently due to factors like the inadequate snow and rainfall during the last winter season. Such is the decrease in the water level that land-forms are now visible in places earlier submerged by the lake’s waters. According to the measurements from the gauge at the lake, the level of water in Naini lake has gone down by more than 16 feet during the month of May alone.
It is pertinent to mention here that though there was snowfall and rain during the winter season, the level of water in the Naini did not rise as a result. Sources state that rainwater accounts for about 60 per cent for recharging this lake.
However, there was no improvement in the water level even after the rainfall experienced in the recent past. The snowfall and rain in the winter is essential for maintaining the normal level of water in this lake. Observers point out that the government machinery is also using water from the lake’s watershed areas excessively for water supply. They also point out that negligence of the Government machinery causes considerable wastage of water through leaking pipelines after it is extracted from the source. Such is the situation that there is considerable leakage from water supply pipelines installed through the Asian Development Bank. The drop in the level of water in the lake has caused the authorities to alter the water supply schedule in the area. locals state that though the authorities have shown concern for various aspects of the Naini lake including the water level and the lake’s aquatic life, the recent drop in the level of water here has not elicited much of a response from the authorities.