Sukhatal Lake

• 12 Nov 2025

Why in News? 

The Uttarakhand High Court has sought a report from the Nainital District Development Authority regarding the ongoing beautification and construction works at Sukhatal Lake.

Key Points 

• Sukhatal is a freshwater lake located about 1.5 km from Nainital town, and it feeds the Naini Lake through its wetland characteristics. 
• The lake remains filled with water for only about three months in a year, and stays dry for the rest of the time, which is why it is named Sukhatal (“dry lake”). 
• Earlier, it was known as Khudariya Tal, as its water used to flow into the outermost part of the Nainital Lake. 
• In 1841, when Peter Barron discovered Nainital, the lake remained filled for most of the year, and ice skating was done here during winters. 
• After 1992, due to excessive construction around the lake and climate change, it has remained mostly dry. 
• The ongoing beautification project aims at both tourism promotion and ecological conservation.