Nainital - City Evolution & Landscape Resources

Nainital, UK
Lake district of India
Area: 11.73 km2

Population: 41,377
Floating Pop.: 58,736
Density: 3500/km2
Avg. Elevation: 2084 m
Nainital is located in the Kumaon Foothills of the outer

Himalayas, it is one of the most popular hill stations in the
Indian state of Uttrakhand. It is the judicial capital of
Uttrakhand, the High Court of the state being located in the
city, and it is the headquarters of Kumaon Division as well as
an eponymous district. Nainital was earlier the summer
capital of the United Provinces.
Brief History
Mythological History British Settlement
• Nainital finds its mention in ‘Manas Khand’ of the • The British occupied Kumaon Hills in 1815. In 1817, during a round of revenue
Skanda Purana (scriptures) as the Tririshi sarovar (Lake settlement G. W. Traill discovered Nainital and its beautiful lake, but he did not
of three sages). In the course of their pilgrimage the popularize his visit in respect for the religious sanctity of the place.
sages arrived here on a penitential piligrimage, and,
finding no water to quench their thirst, they dug a hole • In 1839, an English businessman and an avid hunter, P. Barron got lost while hunting
and siphoned water into it from Mansarovar the sacred and while finding his way discovered Nainital. He was so enamoured by his vision that
lake in Tibet. he wrote in his memoirs that “It is by far the best site I have witnessed in the
course of my 1,500 miles trek in the Himalayas”.
• Nainital is one of the 52 ‘Shakti Peeths”, centres of
powers of the Shakti cult. When Lord Shiva was carrying • In 1841, in the issue of “Englishman Calcutta” it was announced that a lake was
around Sati’s corpse in grief, it is said that the left eye discovered in the vicinity of Almora and by 1847, first records of tourist were recorded.
(nain) of Sati fell here, and this gave rise to the patron Nainital had become a popular hill station.
deity of the town ‘Nainital’, the lake of the eye. The
goddess Shakti is worshiped at the Naina Devi Temple,
known by locals as Naini Mata Temple on the north
shore of the present day lake.
Geological History
• Theobold (1880): The stream channels were blocked by

glacial moraines.
• Pal & Merch (1974): A product of combined effect of

movements along Khurpatal & Lariakanta fault.
• Hukku (1974): Remenant loop of a meandering river that

vanished as a result of neotectonics movement along
the Manora Thrust.
View of the Town from Mallital 1885 View of the Mallital from Tallital 1885
Before
Evolution
of the city
After 1880 Landslide
1842 1842-1880
• No built structures were present • In 1847, due to the presence of

before 1842. market, more buildings started
coming up.
• In 1842, leasing of lands began as
commissioner declared it is as • Rapid growth led to Nainital
public property. acquiring the status of Municipality
in 1850.
• Barron built three structures of
which one was Pilgrim Lodge, that • Between 1857-1878, it became an
still exists till date. education centre as there was no
impact of the mutiny here.
• Lushington, the commissioner of Images showing the aftermath of the 1880’s
Kumoan built the first house of • First landslide in 1867, on Alma Hills. landslide which led to demarcation of
Nainital. In 1880, a massive landslide killed 151 sensitive zones in the city and banning of
people. Sale of lands in sensitive construction in those areas.
zones were banned.
Evolution
of the city
1880-1915 1916-1965 1965-2007
• Between 1880-85, a network of 29 • Development was slow during this • Became internationally famous hill
drains (71 kms) was developed. period. A Govt. house constructed station.
but deemed unsafe.
• Creation on The Nainital flats. • Growth in economy changed the
• Between 1941-51, high influx of city morphology.
• As tourism increased, recreational population.
areas, bungalows and hospitals • Population and Built up area grew
were developed. • Promotion of the city by UP govt exponentially.
led in increase in tourist traffic.
Glimpses
of the past
Assembly Rooms & the Flats Assembly Rooms after the Landslide Naini Peak & the road along the lake
Football match being played in the Flats 1899 The Mall Road 1885 Tallital Market before 1860
Master Plan
2011
2007- 2011
• With the creation of the new hill

state Uttrakhand, Nainital was made
the seat of the states High Court
giving it immense importance.
• Area around High-Court converted

into a administrative complex.
• Significant increase in population as

the city gained influence and
popularity state and country wide.
• Number of settlement increased

further and increase in tourism and
commercial activities.
Landscape
Features
The mountains surrounding

the city are as following:
• Nainia Peak: 2612m
• Ladiya Kanta: 2482m
• Alma: 2430m
• Sher Ka Danda: 2398m
• Ayarpatta: 2344m
The Lakes present in the city

are:
• Naini Lake: 1940m
• Sukhatal: 2050m
Nainital had 230 natural

water sources as recorded
in 1950s which came down
to just 30 by 1994. Currently,
there are 26 drains along
with 3 perennial drains. 1940 m
Total Length of the drainage
system is 80 kms.
Legend
Mountains
Springs
Overhead Tanks
Drains
Water
& Land
B
A’
Diagram showing the Water Inflow and Outflow of Nani Lake
SECTION AA’
Section cutting through the Ayarpatta Hills, Naini Lake & Sher ka Danda
A
SECTION BB’
B’
Section cutting Bara Bazzar, Naini Lake, Tallital & Balia Ravine
Landscape Naina Peak
2630m
Features Alma
2430m
View of City
showing the Ayarpatta Sukhatal
mountains surrou- 2344m 2050m
nding the city, the Sher ka Danda
lake and the Balia 2398m
Ravine, which has
been demarcated
Naini Lake
as one of the
1940m
critically dang-
erous zones in the
region.
Balia Ravine
1 4
Growth Generator
Location, the natural beauty of
the city, Tourism, British Era
Boarding Schools and the
recognition as the judicial capital
of the state.
3
1. Ayarpatta, with
Govt. buildings &
Schools
2. Mall Road
overlooking the
Naina Peak
3. The Flats
4. Eagle eye view
of Nainital
1
Growth
1
Whiteaway Laidlaw & Co. on the Mall Road, Mallital Ashok Restaurant & Hotel Villa Astoria
2 3
Thandi Sadak Thandi Sadak (Pedestrian only) Flats, Mallital & Naina Peak The Flats, Mallital & Naina Peak
Thank you
Presented by:
SUMAN SAURABH
SPA/NS/LA/665
References
• Nainitaltourism.com
• Shodhganga: Chapter 2,4 & 9
• Google Images
• British Library
• Nainital: A historical account – JM Clay
• Nainital Gazettrer 1904

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Nainital, UK

Lake district of India

Area: 11.73 km2

Nainital is located in the Kumaon Foothills of the outer

• Theobold (1880): The stream channels were blocked by

• Pal & Merch (1974): A product of combined effect of

• Hukku (1974): Remenant loop of a meandering river that

After 1880 Landslide

• No built structures were present • In 1847, due to the presence of

1880-1915 1916-1965 1965-2007

• With the creation of the new hill

• Area around High-Court converted

• Significant increase in population as

• Number of settlement increased

The mountains surrounding

The Lakes present in the city

Nainital had 230 natural

Diagram showing the Water Inflow and Outflow of Nani Lake

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