Bird lovers and environmentalists oppose redesign of Sattal

Monday, June 7, 2021

Environmentalists, bird lovers and locals have discarded the planned redesign of Sattal, known as a bird paradise, in the Nainital district, emphasizing that more concretization and additional infrastructure would scare the birds visiting the area making a negative impact on its natural ecology.

Bird lovers from all over India visit Sattal regularly for bird watching and click photos of the Himalayan bird diversity. As part of the planned redevelopment of Sattal, the authorities of Nainital Lake Development Office and Forestry Office are planning building a children’s park, a dining area, an interpretation center, a library, a cash register, a park, paths, among others.

Locals have said that redevelopment would spoil the natural habitat of Sattal, since it may be the last lake area in the district, also known as “India’s Lake District”, which is still pristine and undamaged and doesn’t have many concrete structures.

Avian expert Sanjay Sondhi, co-author of “Updated Checklist and Bibliography of the Birds of Uttarakhand,” said that Sattal remains 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.

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