Of the hill towns in the State of Uttaranchal, Nainital occupies a unique place. Known for its salubrious climate and scenic beauty, the town is a popular health resort and attracts tourists around the year. The town is rich in scenic setting, service infrastructure and landscape perspectives where people from other parts of the country and even outside go for stay and excursions around the year.

LOCATION

Nainital is 34 Km from Kathgodam, the gateway of Kumaon and the terminus of North Eastern Railway. It is 304 km from Delhi, capital of India, and 388 km from Lucknow. According to the District Gazetteer Nainital is situated at 29 degree 24' north latitude and 79 degree 28' east longitude, in a valley of the Gagar range running east and west, which is bounded on the north by the peak of China, which rises to a height of 8.568 feet, continued by the Alma peak (presently known as Snow-View) and the Sher-Ka-Danda to the eastern extremity, where the ridge descends almost to the level of the lake. On the west the rugged hill of Deopatha rises to a height of 7,987 feet, and on the south Ayarpatha attains an elevation of 7,461 feet diminishing gradually towards the east.

While the intervening portion between these two hills is a mass of rocks piled up loosely together which goes by the name of Handi Bandi, and is formed of the transition limestone of Mussoorie. exhibiting every where vast rents, fissures and boulders of all sizes and shapes. The eastern boundary is the pass through which the surplus water of the lake find an exit, forming the principal source of the Ballia river, which falls into the Gola near Ranibagh. The western end of the valley consists of a series of gentle undulations formed by the debris of the surrounding hills. Thus Nainital is situated at a height of 1939 metres from sea level & is surrounded by some outstanding peaks and hills.

The town has the famous lake to which it owes its name. The surface of this lake has an elevation of 1.935 m above sea level. Maximum length & breadth being 1,434 m & 463 m.respectively.

The depth of this lake is said to range between a maximum 28 metres and a minimum of 6 metres. Most Important Characteristics of the town Nainital has some unique features and physical characteristics. By far the greatest attraction is provided by the lake Naini. Flowing on the base of rising peaks. Cheena, Laria-Kanta, Deo- patha, Snow view and others, the lake presents a view which lingers in memory. All around the lake is wide road, the Mall, now known as G. B. Pant Marg, which is crowded by pedestrian and rickshaw traffic. All this is mirrored up and brightly reflected in the glittering blue waters of the lake.

Most Important Characteristics Of The Town

Nainital in Uttaranchal. and Srinagar in Kashmir are comparable as both have lake and mountain scenery.The two towns are nevertheless different in morphological structure and setting. While Srinagar has urban core off the Dol lake, the Naini has the entire town around it. Besides the hill resorts of Almora, Ranikhet and Kausani complexes, proximity to markets of the populous Ganga plain add immensely to the value of this centres.

Nainital's peripheral tourist zone extends upto MulwaTal to the east where Bhimtal, Sattal and Naukachiatal have recently developed as tourist centres. These resorts have grown up as additional recreational grounds and can provide even to casual visitors holiday activities, canoeing and yachting. Like other hill resorts, Nainital attracts visitors during summer and autumn. A slow and steady tourist influx gets going by the second week of April and this influx gathers moment turn by mid May. The tourist rush in at its peak during second half of May and all through June predominantly belonged to the class of princes. aristocrats and business magnates, but now persons belonging to middle class strata of society also visit the town during the season in large numbers.

The town developed as the summer seat of the U.P. Govt. It contains the Government House and residences for legislators and officials. There are office buildings including the Secretariat. Upto 1947, the State Government Secretariat functioned here from April to October each year. Thereafter upto 1962 the shifting was only for 2 months. After 1963 the summer exodus of the U.P. Government was stopped. The Secretariat building is now being used by divisional and district offices. The main centre of the town is the lake and its surrounding area. On one side of the lake are situated well furnished an stylish shops, hotels and residential buildings. Prominent are The New Club, The Boat House Club, Nainital Club, the Flats and Naina TempIe.

The Flats are a vast level ground where visitors gather plainly in the evening. There are play-grounds for sports and recreations. Ponies are also available in good number for joy rides and excursions. Boats play in the lake for the visitors and a boat ride is extremely enjoyable. The population of Naini Tal is seasonal. During summer and autumn the rush is at its peak.

CLIMATE

Nainital, owing to its location, is colder than the rest of the hilly tract of Kumaon region. During monsoon, it gets heavy rainfall. The climate, therefore, is damp. The neighbouring areas of Almora and Ranikhet are warmer than Nainital. Similarly humidity in Nainital is less than in other hill towns. The monthly maximum and minimum temperature of the town ranged between 28.06 degree C and 7.06 degree C.


RAINFALL

During monsoon, Nainital gets full blast of rain. The heaviest rainfall is observed on the outer slopes of the hills. Frequently there are local rains also. The rainy season begins earlier than in the plains and continues upto the end of Sept. During winter, rains create a considerable fall in temperature. Snowfall is the heaviest in January or in early February.