Why Naini Lake is Shrinking?

Discover why Naini Lake is shrinking, the impact of climate change, deforestation, and over-extraction of water, and efforts to restore this iconic lake.

Sakshi Gupta Last updated on April 2nd, 2025 06:12 pm Leave a comment

Table of Contents

Naini Lake

Location: Naini Lake is a Kidney-shaped lake situated in Nainital, Uttarakhand, it is one of the most famous natural lakes in India. It is surrounded by seven hills.
It was discovered by Barron, a British businessman, in the mid-19th century.
It is not a Ramsar site.

Factors Contributing to Water Depletion of Naini Lake

Increased Population and Tourism Pressure.
Unplanned construction and encroachments near the lake.
Degradation of recharge zones, particularly Sukhatal Lake, a major aquifer recharge area for Naini Lake.
Discharge of untreated wastewater into the lake.

Decreasing Rainfall

In 2022: Uttarakhand received 2,400 mm annual rainfall.
2024: The rainfall dropped to 2,000 mm.

Facts

Asan Conservation Reserve is the only Ramsar site in Uttarakhand.

About the Author

Sakshi Gupta

Author

Sakshi Gupta is a content writer to empower students aiming for UPSC, PSC, and other competitive exams. Her objective is to provide clear, concise, and informative content that caters to your exam preparation needs. She has over five years of work experience in Ed-tech sector. She strive to make her content not only informative but also engaging, keeping you motivated throughout your journey!