The sorry state of affairs at Chamera Lake in Chamba district of Himachal Pradesh (HP) is a glaring testament to the utter disregard shown by the government towards its own promises.
Despite the lofty proclamations to promote tourism and bolster the state’s fiscal health through the development of diverse tourist destinations, the reality on the ground is an eyesore that defies all expectations.
Chamera Lake, nestled amidst the pristine hill beauty should have been a thriving hub of tourism, attracting hordes of visitors from far and wide. Instead, it has become a sad testament to negligence and apathy.
The once serene and picturesque lake is now marred by the appalling sight of debris strewn across its tranquil shores, casting a dark shadow over its potential as a tourist hotspot.
Besides wooden logs and chips, one can see empty water bottles, detergent bottles, footwear, and polystyrene pieces littering the Chamera Lake.
The historic town is undergoing a massive transformation as the Ministry of Culture is leading the holistic development of the town, planned in four phases. Plans are afoot to push tourism through the Archaeological Experiential Museum, tourism circuits, trails and redevelopment projects. Vadnagar is strategically located near other popular attractions like the Sun Temple of Modhera and Rani ki Vav.
Ravinder Singh, a tourist from Punjab, expressed his disappointment at the sight of debris littering the shores and the interior of Chamera Lake. “I believe that such a distressing scene tarnishes the reputation of HP as a responsible custodian of its natural treasures, I wouldn’t want to visit here again or recommend someone to visit here,” said he.Sarojini Yadav, another tourist from Lucknow said: “It was disheartening to see the lake in such a neglected state, and I sincerely hope that immediate action is taken to address this issue and restore the pristine condition of Chamera Lake.”
Tourists, who are increasingly conscious of their environmental impact, are likely to shun destinations that exhibit such blatant disregard for ecological preservation. This will , in turn, leads to lost opportunities for local communities that rely on tourism for their livelihoods.
Rajiv Mishra, District Tourism Development Officer, seemingly shifted the responsibility onto the company operating the boating services. Mishra stated, “We have entrusted the lake to them through a lease agreement, making them the custodians and also responsible for maintaining its cleanliness.” He further assured that the department would look into the matter and take appropriate action.
