Action taken report by District Magistrate Chamoli regarding Benital lake, Chamoli, Uttarakhand, 26/02/2024
Action taken report by way of affidavit on behalf of District Chamoli through District Magistrate, Chamoli, Uttarakhand in compliance of NGT order dated November 9, 2023.
The matter is related to the protection of Benital lake.
It has been reported that the size of the lake has reduced to the extent of 0.116 hectare out of the original size of 2 hectares. The lake has a positive role on groundwater recharge, vegetation, ecological stability of the area and in ensuring safe and clean water supply to about 6 villages.
During joint inspection, aquatic grass was found in the Benital lake to a large extent and no arrangement was reflected for protection and cleanliness of the aquatic life inside the lake. No illegal tree felling could be confirmed, however old stumps were found lying at the said place. At the time of inspection erosion was also observed on the periphery of Benital lake which appeared to have occurred during the rainy season and there was no evidence of erosion due to human or mechanical means. Some quantity of solid waste, plastic bottles, cattle dung, wrappers, glass bottles, packaging material were found scattered around the Benital lake.
Keeping in view the importance attached with the fragile Himalayas, the aspects of solid waste management in the surrounding area and conservation and management of the Benital lake and its catchment area needs to be given due attention in accordance with the Wetland (Conservation and Management) Rules 2017, and Guidelines 2020, the report said.