Tiffin Top, a well-known tourist destination in Uttarakhand, offering a stunning view of the Himalayan peaks, has been temporarily closed to visitors due to the development of cracks at the site. The district magistrate of Nainital, Dhiraj Garbiyal, has taken this precautionary measure to ensure the safety of tourists. The ban will remain in effect until a high-level technical team conducts an inspection and provides their expert opinion on the situation. Additionally, the district administration has instructed the relevant authorities to erect fencing and caution boards near the affected area. A joint team consisting of geologists and officials from various departments has conducted an inspection of Tiffin Top and submitted a report to the district magistrate, highlighting the importance of addressing the crack formation.
These measures are being implemented to prevent any untoward incidents and guarantee the safety of visitors. It is important to note that another popular site, the Band Stand of Mallital, has also been closed to tourists due to cracks that emerged a few months ago. Nainital is known for its vulnerability to landslides, and the region has a history of geological disturbances. In the past, a landslide in Sher Ka Danda claimed the lives of 151 people in 1880. The Baliyanala region of Nainital has been experiencing landslides for the past two decades, and since 2018, there has been an increase in landslides and road cracks, indicating potential geological concerns in the area.
The population of Nainital has significantly grown over the years, with the 2011 census recording a population of 41,377. Currently, the population has exceeded 48,000. The number of constructions, particularly buildings constructed on slopes, has also seen a significant rise, increasing from 520 in 1901-02 to over 7,000 at present. This includes more than 150 hotels and resorts. The closure of Tiffin Top underscores the importance of cautious development and maintenance of tourist sites in landslide-prone areas such as Nainital. The inspection by the high-level technical team will provide valuable insights to determine when it is safe to lift the ban and allow tourists to visit the site once again.
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