Nainital Lake

Nainital Lake
View of Lake in the backdrop of Nainital
Location	Uttarakhand
Coordinates	29°24′N 79°28′E / 29.4°N 79.47°E / 29.4; 79.47Coordinates: 29°24′N 79°28′E / 29.4°N 79.47°E / 29.4; 79.47
Lake type	Natural Freshwater body
Basin countries	India
Max. length	1,432 m (4,698 ft)
Max. width	42 m (138 ft)
Surface area	48.76 ha (120.5 acres)
Max. depth	27.3 m (90 ft)
Residence time	1.16 years
Surface elevation	1,938 m (6,358 ft)
Settlements	Nainital

Nainital Lake, a natural freshwater body, situated amidst the township of Nainital in Uttarakhand State of India, tectonic in origin, is kidney shaped or crescent shaped and has an outfall at the southeastern end.^[1][2]

Nainital Lake, in the Nainital district called the Lake District of India, is one of the four Lakes of Kumaon hills; the other three lakes are the Sattal Lake, the Bhimtal Lake and the Naukuchiyatal Lake.^[3]

Legend

Further information: Dakshayani

Further information: Nainital

Shiva carrying Sati's corpse on his trident

There are two legends of the creation of Nainital Lake.^[4][5]

The first legend is recorded in the chapter ‘manas khand’ of the ‘Skanda Purana’ in which it states that the Nainital Lake was known as ‘Tri-Rishi-Sarovar’, meaning the lake of the three sages. The three sages Atri, Pulastya and Pulaha, (three of the Saptarshis), seven great sages-of the first Manvantara, the Hindu progenitor of mankind) while on their repentant pilgrimage chanced to be in Naintal, and not finding water to drink, burrowed into the ground at the present day location of the lake and did tapas (meditation) there, which it is believed resulted in filling up of the burrowed hole with subterranean water drawn from the sacred Mansarovar Lake in Tibet.^[4] Hence, the folk lore belief is that a dip in this lake is meritorious.

The second legend pertains to Nainital, which is one of the 64 'Shakti Peethas' (holy places of cosmic power) in India. The story goes that when Lord Shiva in his grief on the death of his consort sati's or Dākshāyani (a Hindu goddess of marital felicity and longevity who was the first wife of Shiva) carried her half charred dead body all over the earth, the left eye fell at Nainital and thus emerged the compound name Nainital (a word formed by naina and tal meaning 'eye' and 'lake' respectively), the sanctified home of the Goddess Naina Devi. It is claimed that the lake is also in emerald eye shape. As a Shkathisthal, the temple of Naina Devi is located at the northern end of the lake.^[4]

Access

The nearest railhead on broad gauze line of North East Railways is at Kathgodam 35 km (22 mi) away from the lake and connects to Delhi, Dehradun and Howrah It is connected by National Highway No. to Delhi, Agra, Dehradun, Haridwar, Lucknow, Kanpur & Bareilly daily. The nearest airport is 70 km (43 mi) away.^[6]

History

Historical records confirm that in 1839, Mr. P. Barron, from Rosa, an English business man in sugar trade, on a hunting expedition accidentally coming across the lake at Nainital was so captivated that he decided to build a European Colony on shores of the lake. The news magazine, the Englishman Calcutta, reported in 1841 discovery of this lake near Almora.^[4]

Topography and Hydrology

The lake is bounded by the high and steep Naina peak on the North West side, by the Tiffin Top to the south west side and snow view peaks on the north. Coniferous forest trees cover these hill ranges. The annual rainfall in the basin area of the lake is reported to be 1294.5 mm (43.15 inches). Tropical monsoon climate with maximum temperature 24.6°C and minimum of 0.5°C are recorded. The water is reported to be alkaline in nature (ph value of 8.4–9.3).^[2]

The lake receives flows from the surrounding catchment basin which comprises the hill slopes and springs. The hydrologic studies related to water balance and sedimentation was done using radioisotopes for estimating/measuring the various components of the inflow and outflow into the lake. Studies indicated that the subsurface inflow and outflow were significant – ranging from 43 to 63% and 41 to 54 %, respectively, of the total inflow and outflow, except in years of exceptionally heavy rainfall. The components of outflows were the surface outflow, the subsurface outflow through the springs on the downstream side and draft through wells for meeting the water supply of Nainital town and evaporation loss from the lake surface. The mean water retention time for the lake was computed as 1.16 years for the mean annual rainfall.^[1]

Geology

The Krol group of rocks, comprising slates, marls, sandstones, limestones and dolomites with a few small dykes intrusives, is the dominant geological formation of the lake’s surroundings. The lake is deduced to have been formed tectonically. Balia Nala, which is the main stream feeding the lake is along a fault line and the subsequent streams align parallel to major joints and faults. 26 major drains feed the lake including the 3 perennial drains. The lake catchment has highly folded and faulted rocks due to poly phase deformation. Landslides are a frequent occurrence in the hill slopes surrounding the lake, which are steep. The slopes are highly vulnerable to landslides and mass movement due to various geological and human factors. Several landslides have occurred in the past (pictured) around the lake. Many settlements around the lake are located in landslide areas.^[1]

Flora and fauna

While the Nainital district where the lake is situated (in the middle Himalayan ranges up to 2,000 m (6,600 ft), a temperate zone), is rich in flora (typical temperate climate plants) and fauna, the details of the flora and fauna specific to the lake and its surroundings recorded are the following.^[7]

Vegetation

The trees and bushes grown in the region (lake’s basin) with their botanical and common Indian names (in parenthesis) are reported to be: a) Quercus incana {Oak (Banj)}; b) Aesculus indica (Pangar or Horse chestnuts); c) Juglans regia (Akhrot or walnut), d) Populous ciliata (Hill Pipal, a sacred tree); e) Fraxinus miscrantha (Ash tree or Angu); f) Platanus orientalis (Chinar); g) Rubus lasiocarpus (Hisalu); h) Rosa moschata (Kunj or Musk rose); i) Berberis asiatica (Kilmora);j) Cupressus torulosa (Surai or Himalayan cypress); k) Rhododendron arboreum (Buruns); Cedrus deodara (Deodar); l) Salix acmophylla (Weeping Willow); and m) Pinus (Pine).^[7]

The Aquatic Macrophytic vegetation recorded are the a) Potamogeton pectinatus, 2) Potamogeton crispus, 3) Polygonum glabrum, 4) Polygonum amphibium and Polygonum hydropiper (Water pepper).^[7]

Several species of medicinal flora and horticulture plants have also been reported.

Aqua fauna

The fishes found in the lake are generally carps Mahseer, (the Hindi name of mahāsir, mahāser, or mahāsaulā used for a number of fishes of the group), also hill trout and the mirror carp which breed several times during one spawning season during May to September. Two species of Mahaseer fish viz., Tor tor: The red finned mahseer and the Tor putitora: The yellow finned mahseer, a food fish which grows to varying sizes from 20 to 60 Cms (7.87 to 23.62 inches) are reported. The three species of Hill Trout found in the lake are the Schizothorax sinuatus, Schizothorax richardsoni and Schizothorax plagiostornus. The imported fish bred in the lake is Mirror carp or Cyprinus carpio.^[7] Gambusia affinis also called Mosquitofish have been introduced in the lake as a biocontrol measure to control Mosquito larvae.^[7]

Fauna

Nine species of birds and nine species of animals have been recorded in the Nainital district.

Water quality

A scientific study indicates that the open drains feeding the lake introduce toxic substances from the catchment of the lake, particularly heavy metals which get adsorbed onto the suspended sediments, which in turn settle down in the bottom of the lake. A study of the risk assessment code has revealed that 4–13% of manganese, 4–8% of copper, 17–24% of nickel, 3–5% of chromium, 13–26% of lead, 14–23% of cadmium and 2–3% of zinc exist in exchangeable fraction which puts the lake under the low to medium risk category and infers that it could enter into food chain and also cause deleterious effects to aquatic life. This study provides the basic database to formulate guidelines for the dredging operations and/or restoration programmes in the lake.^[8]

The water quality studies carried out by the National Institute of Hydrology during 1999–2001 on physico-chemical parameters (pH, temperature profile, Secchi’s transparency, dissolved oxygen, BOD, COD and nutrients), biological profile (density of population, biomass and species diversity of phyto, zooplankton and macrobenthos) and bacteriological characteristics have led to the conclusion that long-term limnological changes have occurred in the lake. Excess of nutrients inflow have contributed to the eutrophic conditions and the internal recycling of nutrients from sediments during water circulation has resulted in luxurious growth of phytoplankton. The lake is thus anoxic and has reduced hypolimnion, winter circulation, large phytoplankton and relatively lower animal population.^[1]

Threats to the lake

The problems facing the lake which were also listed in the plea in a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) before the Supreme Court of India in 1995 seeking court directive for redress measures could be summarised as below:^[1]

• The lake is eutrophic to high nutrient accumulation and growth of phytoplankton. Algal blooms had caused loss of transparency. In spite of installing sewer lines to prevent sewage entering the lake still some effluents from drains, leakage and open defecation add to the eutrophication.
• High Siltation resulting in reduction of lake depth (the depth of lake is reported to have reduced from its original depth of 27.97 m to only 19.6m.^[9]),
• Clogging of water channels (drains) in the surrounding hills because of encroachment, leading to poor drainage.
• Landslides from the unstable hill slopes draining in to the lake
• Inadequate sanitation facilities for the poor section of society, commuters and tourists.

Lake restoration

The National Institute of Hydrology (NIH) of Roorkee who prepared a plan for the restoration of the lake, at an estimated cost of Rs 50 crore (about US $ 10 million), sponsored by the Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India, are also now guiding the restoration measures.^[10] The Conservation and Management Plan evolved by NIH is not only lake centric but also proposes to tackle the immediate periphery of the lake which contributes an adverse impact on the lake. The “Nainital Jheel Parikshetra Vishesh Kshetra Vikas Pradhikaran”, the Lake Development Authority notified under U.P. Special Area Development Act 1986 is a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) set up for implementing the restoration works.^[1] The restoration works that have been implemented or are in different stages of implementation are the following:

• Limnological measures such as controlled aeration of hypolimnetic water, siphoning of hypolimnetic water, biomanipulation and limited sediment removal from the deltas of drains which lead to the lake.
• Soil Conservation & Slope Stabilization measures in the form of soil conservation and watershed management activities in the catchment area of the lake, slope stabilization, Drainage line treatment, landslide scars to be treated with Coir geotextiles with gabion cross-barriers and proper maintenance and cleaning of drainage system
• Provide 100% coverage of the town surrounding the lake with sewers and Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs)
• Improved sanitation around the lake and in the catchment with new community toilets to cover all sections of the society, improved design of household toilets
• Better solid waste management by disposing of the solid waste through a chute to the downhill outside the catchment, developing landfill sites is developed and in isolated habitations in the upper reaches of hills, introduce composting measures with support from NGOs.
• Limited dredging of the lake, particularly near the deltas of drains that bring sediments
• Fish Gambusia affinis introduced a few years ago to control mosquito larvae, the fish have started feeding on the larger zooplankton resulting due to scanty larvae population resulting in adverse impact on the lake water quality. This needs to be controlled by putting minnow traps in the lake and introducing some other fish species
• The outflow from the lake is into the Balia Nala drain controlled by a set of sluices located at the lake bridge. The sluices which are old need renovation and replacement. The Balia Nala also needs slope stabilization measures to check landslides

Landslide in 1880

• Shoreline Development and improvement of facilities at all important monuments and temples located in the periphery of the lake and providing avenue paths and roads
• Improved Public Awareness and Public Participation programmes
• The “Nainital Jheel Parikshetra Vishesh Kshetra Vikas Pradhikaran” could function better in a limited role as a promoter and a facilitator for developmental and commercial activities with jurisdiction extended to cover all four lakes in the district, as at present a plethora of organizations are functioning in the notified area such as Nainital Nagar Palika Parishad, Jal Nigam, Irrigation Department, Power Corporation, Forest Department and Fisheries Department who are directly involved with the lake.

The Honourable Supreme Court of India in its judgment of 1995, in response to the Public Interest Litigation, gave the following recommendations which have also been addressed in the restoration measures mentioned above.^[1][9]

(i)Sewage water has to be prevented at any cost from entering the lake; (ii) So far as the drains which ultimately fall in the lake are concerned, it has to be seen that building materials are not allowed to be heaped on the drains to prevent siltation of the lake;(iii) Care has been taken to see that horse dung does not reach the lake. If for this purpose the horse stand has to be shifted somewhere, the same would be done. The authorities would examine whether trotting of horses around the lake is also required to be prevented;(iv) Multi-storeyed group housing and commercial complexes have to be banned in the town area of Naini Tal. Building of small residential houses on flat areas could, however, be permitted;(v) The offence of illegal felling of trees is required to be made cognizable.(vi) Vehicular traffic on the Mall has to be reduced. Heavy vehicles may not be permitted to ply on Mall;(vii) The fragile nature of Ballia Ravine has to be taken care of. The cracks in the revetment of Ballia Nullah have to be repaired urgently.

In the “India Today” magazine, Prasanta Rajan, a journalist, in a preamble to the particular interest shown by the Lady District Magistrate of Nainital in restoration works of the lake has very vividly described the lake in these words:

Look for the lake through the colonial windows of Pant House, a vintage English bungalow on the hilltop, now submerged in wintry night, solitary with a kind of Wuthering Heights mystery. Down below, the lake is a laminated stillness, protected by seven never-sleeping hills. In the dead darkness of Kumaon, this magnificence is a distant, partially lit vision, less than real, as the hills of frozen memories make the lake a footnote in water.

Other attractions

There is the Nainital Boat Club that offers yachting facilities at the lake. The Annual Kingfisher Yachting Competition (Regatta) is held here in the third week of June.^[11] The Kumaon festival which brings out the local cultures and traditions is organized every year during the winter months of October and November, by the Tourism Department.^[11]

Gallery

• 

  Pictursque view of the lake from the top of a hill

• 

  Boats warm the shores of the lake with all their colours

• 

  Mosquitofish introduced as a biocontrol measure to Control Mosquito Larvae in lake

• 

  Water pepper or Polygonum hydropiper

• 

  Deodar tree

• 

  Rhododendron

• 

  Berberis aristata, Uttarakhand

See also

• Nainital
• Bhimtal Lake
• Lakes of Kumaon hills

References

1. ^ ^{a b c d e f g} Executive Summary, Conservation and Management Plan for Nainital Lake
2. ^ ^{a b} Inventory of Wetlands, Nainital,p.431
3. ^ Management of Lakes in India, Annex 2
4. ^ ^{a b c d} http://nainital.nic.in/history.htm Nainital History
5. ^ Hill Stations in India
6. ^ How to reach Nainital District
7. ^ ^{a b c d e} Introduction, Horticulture, Medicinal flora, Animals and Fishes
8. ^ Metal fractionation study on bed sediments of Lake Nainital, National Institute of Hydrology, Roorkee, Uttaranchal, India
9. ^ ^{a b} http://www.india-today.com/itoday/20010205/profile.shtml Lady of the lake, Profile: Aradhana Shukla
10. ^ Renewed focus on urban, rural water supply
11. ^ ^{a b} Nainital Tourism