Environmentalists, fowl lovers in opposition to ‘junky tourism’ in Sattal

Environmentalists, bird lovers and locals reject the planned redesign of Sattal, a bird paradise, in the Nainital district and emphasize that more concretization and additional infrastructure disturb the birds that visit the area and have a negative impact on its natural ecology.

Bird lovers from all over India frequently visit Sattal to bird watch and click photos of the Himalayan bird diversity. As part of the planned redevelopment of Sattal, the authorities (Nainital Lake Development Office and Forestry Office) are planning the construction of a children’s park, a dining area, an interpretation center, a library, a cash register, a park, paths, etc.

Neerdiv Bankoti, a local, said they were against the redevelopment as Sattal may be the last lake area in the district, also called “India’s Lake District”, which is still pristine and untouched and doesn’t have many concrete structures.

“These additions will create crowding and prevent the birds from coming here. So if we go ahead with the rehabilitation of the lake area, the purpose for which Sattal is famous will in a way be undone, ”he said.

Aagnay Budhraja, who is from Delhi and has lived in Sattal for four years, said he started an online petition against the planned move on change.org. He said the area is home to over 500 species of birds and 525 species of butterflies.

“Over 17,000 people have already signed the petition. Upon hearing of this proposed work, we wrote to the Nainital Departmental Forestry Officer and other authorities that the forests around the lake should be declared a nature reserve instead of adding more structures in the area, ”he said.

Budhraja said a public interest litigation would be filed with the Uttarakhand Supreme Court next month. “We want the court to look into this environmentally sensitive matter,” he said.

Avian expert Sanjay Sondhi, also co-author of “Updated Checklist and Bibliography of the Birds of Uttarakhand,” said Sattal is probably the best place for bird watching in the state. “There shouldn’t be any junky tourism development there; it should be left untouched for birds, ”he said.

AG Ansari, a Kumaon-based wildlife activist, said he was against the development around Sattal. “If concrete structures are added, there will be less green space around the lake and more people will be present in the area at the same time, which affects the movement of birds, which are generally alert and shy of crowds,” he said.

However, environmentalist Ajay Singh Rawat said he filed a petition with the Supreme Court in 1993 about pollution of Lake Nainital. “Then the SC gave instructions that the Nainital Lake had become opaque and should be cleaned immediately. After that ₹43 crore have been cleared by the state government for Nainital and other lakes in the district, ”he said.

Rawat said in 2013 the Uttarakhand Supreme Court ordered that the money raised from the ₹43 crore should be used to beautify Sattal and stop pollution.

“As part of this project, the shops are now being moved 12 meters back and a children’s park and a food plaza are being set up. This will boost tourism and the landscaping measures will also curb pollution in the area. The opposition appears to be led by some business interest groups in surrounding villages, ”he said.

Pankaj Upadhyay, secretary of the Nainital Lake Development Authority, said ₹6 crore will be spent on the redevelopment and beautification project of the Sattalersee. “We are planning to build a children’s park, a small park and a seating area, develop paths and beautify the lake. The contract for the project was returned a few days ago and work will start soon, ”he said.

Mukul Sharma, Forest Range Officer, Bhawali (under which Sattal falls), said the works proposed by the forestry agency had not yet been built.

“The interpretation center aims to educate people and bird lovers about the diversity of birds in this area. The library will have books on wildlife and nature. We are also planning to build a small office for the ticket issuer. All of this won’t take up much space. We’re not doing anything to disturb the area, we are helping visitors understand and admire the diversity of birds in the area, ”he said.

Subodh Uniyal, cabinet minister and state government spokesman, said he would look into the matter. “The locals who oppose the cleanup should come to me so I can look into the whole matter and see what can be done about it,” he said.