The State Government has released a sum of Rsthree crore for the conservation and rejuvenation of Naini lake. If needed, the assistance of the Central Government will also be taken for work related to this lake which is suffering from receeding level of water. Stating this, the Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat stressed that the State Government will leave no stone unturned in the conservation of the famous Naini lake.
The Chief Minister was speaking at the Nainital boat house while interacting with scientists, experts and prominent citizens in a meeting held on the subject of conservation of the Naini lake.
The CM said that the detailed project report for conservation of the lake should be made according to the opinion of the scientists. A plan should also be drafted for the recharging of old water sources in Nainital town. Rawat stressed that in order to protect the lake’s watershed and natural beauty, there should be no tampering in the areas near the lake.
The assistance of Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Roorkee, scientists and the forest department should also be sought for the conservation of Naini lake. The CM further directed that catch-pits should be made mandatory in all the nullahs draining into the Naini lake so that debris and garbage can be stopped from ending in the lake.
Silt should immediately be removed from the lake’s watershed area Sukhatal and other places in the mountainous area so as to enable maximum recharge of the lake during the coming monsoon season. Rawat directed the officials that rivers and nullahs with silt preventing flow of water should be channelised without delay so as to enable flow of water without problem. He further said that a committee will also be formed to make the farming in mountainous profitable in order to mitigate migration from such areas.
The income of farmers in the mountainous areas will be enhanced based on the recommendations of this committee, he said. Rawat further informed that direct interaction will be held with farmers through videoconferencing every month to learn of their problems and suggestions. While inspecting the Naini lake the chief minister also issued various directions to the officials concerned. The police inspector general Ajay Rautela, Nainital district magistrate Deependra Kumar Chaudhry and senior superintendent of police Janmejai Khanduri along with other officials were also present on the occasion.