Nainital people have more responsiblity towards nainital lake; Gov

DAINIK NATION BUREAU

Governor Dr KK Paul said today that the residents of Nainital had the most important role in the conservation of the Nainital lake. Now discussions should be turned into action and implementation based on suggestions of experts and scientists. he expressed these views while addressing the inaugural session as the chief guest at  a workshop organized at Raj Bhawan auditorium by UNDP on the scientific and technical ways of conserving the lake.

He said that from time to time, many discussions and seminars had been held on this subject .Many organizations had given their reports too. It was now time for substantial implementation of all the suggestions to conserve the lake. Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat had expressed his dedication towards this and the high court had also given directions regarding this. Thus the local administration needed to follow this seriously.

He said that the biggest responsibility in this context lay with the people of Nainital .The city was dependent for its water supply on this lake.Every year, a large number of tourists arrived here and water had to be made available  to them also. The concept of sustainable tourism and water management will have to be adopted and rainwater harvesting must be encouraged . Alternative sources of water for the city must be explored.Also, tourists coming to Nainital must also be encouraged to visit tourist places nearby.

Giving the examples  Dhansa, Badkal and Surajkund lakes , Dr Paul said that these had once been important lakes around Delhi but had now dried up. It is our responsibility to ensure that Naini lake did not dry up like these lakes, he said.

“Work will have to be done with determination and each citizen will have to use common sense to play his or her role in saving the lake”.

CM Rawat said that there had been a dwindling of water sources and rivers in the state and this was a cause for concern.For Nainital lake, an action plan would have to be timely implemented ensuring local participation. He said the state government had started work on conserving the lake and other water sources.On May 25, a campaign on water conservation had been held .Work on the rejuvenation of Bindal and Rispana rivers had also been started. Cleanliness and plantation drives will be undertaken there.

He said that all suggestions given at the UNDP workshop will be implemented by the state government.

Other dignitaries including Chief Secretary Utpal Kumar Singh, Principal secretary Anand Vardhan, UNDP’s Additional Country Director Dr Rakesh Kumar, Secretary Ravi Nath Raman, Prof SP Singh  and scientists and experts from various organizations were present there. Three sessions were held after the inauguration on the reasons for the falling level of the lake, possible solutions, the changing geological condition of Nainital ,human pressure on the city , role of organizations and implementation strategies.