Tuesday, 09 May 2023 | PNS | DEHRADUN
Considering the occurrence of cracks and possibility of landslides at the hilltop popularly known as Tiffin Top or Dorothy’s Seat in Nainital, the district magistrate Dhiraaj Singh Garbyal has banned all kinds of tourist activities and movement at this site based on the suggestions of experts.
The DM had recently formed a team consisting of a geologist, district disaster management officer, assistant executive of the Irrigation department and the senior officers of Public Works Department, Revenue department and Forest department to conduct the survey of the hilltop after the officials observed cracks there. The survey team conducted an inspection of the said area on Monday that found the cracks on the northern and southern ends which have reportedly been caused due to deviation between the joints of carbonate rocks in the hilltop.
The team said that a permanent geo-technical survey must be done of the area to thoroughly understand and study the cracks and advised the DM to completely ban the tourist movement there in view of the safety of tourists and local people. Considering the safety of people around the area, the DM issued orders of banning movement at the hilltop and instructed the officials to ensure immediate installation of warning and caution boards at the sensitive site. He also directed them to ensure the installation of strong wire-fence barricading the periphery of the entrance point to prevent entry of people that can possibly become victims of landslides which can get triggered at the hilltop. Garbyal said that the administration has formed a committee to look into the issue and further action will be taken according to further analysis of the hilltop by the expert team.
