From Forest Fires To Water Level Dip In Bhimtal Lake, Climate Change Hits Tourism In Uttarakhand

While forest fires continue to haunt Uttarakhand, a new concern has come up for the state. A report has revealed that the water level in the famous Bhimtal Lake has taken a dip. The water level has dropped to 17 metres from the usual 22 metres in this iconic lake. According to climate activists, the reason for this is the shortage of rainfall and snowfall in the Kumaon region. This dip in water level has also affected tourism in the area as the lake was one of the major tourist attractions here. Climate change in Uttarakhand is impacting tourism and these cases are an example of that.

Water Levels Dip In Bhimtal Lake Due To Less Rainfall & Snowfall

Bhimtal is a serene city in Uttarakhand that is famous for its lake. It is one of the most famous getaway destinations for people in North India. However, there has been a sharp decline in the number of tourists visiting this hill station in recent times. The main reason for this is the dip in the water levels of the Bhimtal Lake. As per reports, the water level in the lake has dipped to 17 metres. It is five metres below the normal water level and is at its historic low right now.

According to climate activists, this water level drop is due to scarcity of rainfall and snowfall in Uttarakhand’s Kumaon region. They have also mentioned that drains across Bhimtal are flushed in the lake which has worsened the condition here. Furthermore, they have also said that the lakes in the state have been neglected by the authorities and this is just the aftermath of it all.

Since the lake is the biggest attraction in Bhimtal, its neglect is affecting tourism in the hill station as well. There is a significant drop in the number of tourists in the hill station. This is causing distress to the many hotel, resort, and restaurant owners here as the city is heavily dependent on tourism. This shows how adversely climate change is affecting our lives.

Also Read: Uttarakhand: Incidents Of 24 Forest Fires Reported In Past 24 Hours; Blaze Claims 5 Lives

Forest Fires In Uttarakhand Raises Concerns About Climate Change

There has been a significant increase in the number of forest fires in Uttarakhand in the last few months. The shortage of rainfall in the state over the last few seasons has further worsened the forest fires here. On May 5 and May 6 alone, more than 1,000 active fires were recorded in the state. Also, since these fires are now spreading at higher elevations, it is getting harder to douse them. The forest fire has claimed several lives and has destroyed thousands of hectares of land in the state. Once again bringing to light the aftermaths of climate change in the spotlight.

For anyone who still has doubts about climate change, then these concerning reports will surely make you believe how bad the state is. Let us know your thoughts on this in the comments.

Cover Image Courtesy: Canva (representative image)