World famous Chhangu lake getting polluted

GANGTOK: The world famous Chhangu lake, located about 40 km from here on way to Nathu La and one of the prime tourist destinations, is getting polluted day by day, the State Pollution Control Board (SPCB) said in a survey.

The lake, along with the catchment area, is falling prey to air pollution and filled with siltation over the years, the state pollution watchdog has cautioned in a report submitted to the state government recently.

The construction activities, related to laying and widening of roads by the Border Roads Organization (BRO), may also have led to the decay of the water body and surroundings, the SPCB observed.

In view of the importance of the Chhangu Lake as one of the prime tourist destinations as well as a hub of the migratory birds, the SPCB has asked for measures to maintain the sanctity of the water body at the initiative of both the state government agencies and the BRO.

The protection of lake should start by earmarking the catchment area and identification of the structures to minimize the damage and protection of the environment, the SPCB has suggested.

The authorities must take up plantation of suitable varieties and set up stations to monitor the accumulation of silt in the lake besides keeping tab on air quality and vehicular emission, the eco watchdog said. Copy of the report was available here today.