NGT finds untreated sewage polluting Naini Lake in Nainital

Untreated sewage from houses located between China Peak and Lake Naini in Nainital flows into the stormwater drain and pollutes the lake, which is the only source of water for the city.

Akash Vashishtha, amicus curiae appointed by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) to report on environmental conditions in Nainital, presented findings that several houses located in the 3 km stretch from China Peak to Naini Lake are discharging raw sewage into stormwater drainage.

He also discovered that the municipality is not giving any importance to stormwater drainage and solid waste management regulations are not being strictly followed, resulting in the city and Naini Lake being continuously polluted.

Local activist Vivek Verma informed NGT in September 2022 that Uttarakhand Jal Sansthan or the state pollution control board never inspect the water quality of such drainage. In his report, Vashishtha recommended that the water quality of Lake Naini and all drains flowing into it be tested at least quarterly by a reputable, independent testing laboratory.

He also highlighted the absence of billboards warning tourists not to litter in the public areas of any commercial accommodation, including hotels, resorts and rest houses. Vashishtha recommended that the municipality strictly follow the solid waste management regulations and avoid dumping garbage in open areas.

The NGT has taken note of these findings and is expected to discuss them further at a hearing on May 3. If the recommendations are implemented, it can help mitigate the pollution of Lake Naini and ensure that the town remains a popular tourist destination for years to come.

Naini lake

Naini Lake is a natural freshwater lake situated in the heart of the city of Nainital, Uttarakhand, India. The lake is pear-shaped, surrounded by hills on all sides, and is a popular tourist destination in the region. Lake is believed to have formed as a result of tectonic activity in the region millions of years ago.

The lake is also home to several species of fish, including the famous Mahseer fish, which is popular with anglers.

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