Nainital, Sep 21 (ANI): Women in the hill station of Nainital have launched a cleanliness drive.

Situated at an altitude of 2000 feet above sea level and surrounded by green hilltops, Naini Lake is a gift of Mother Nature.

It is a major tourist spot and a source of water supply to the city.

Over the years, pollution levels in the Naini Lake have increased due to the influx of tourists, unplanned development drives by the administration other human activities.

Adding to these factors is the waste released from hotels and lodges.

Women have come under the banner of the Maitri Women Organisation to initiate the clean up drive. Cleanliness activities are undertaken once in every month.

"We want to spread the message of keeping Nainital clean. The lake is our soul. If it will not be there, then what will happen to the city, as water supply comes from the lake?" asked Vimal Aswal of the Maitri Women Organisation.

"Therefore we are trying to keep the lake clean and so we are cleaning the streets and the waste materials lying nearby the drains from where unclean water enters the lakes. Thus, we always concentrate more on cleanliness of the area around the drains," she added.

The organisation is also performing street plays to raise the level of public awareness about the virtues of cleanliness.

The Naini Lake is one of 64 'Shakti Peeths' where parts of the charred body of the Goddess 'Sati', wife of Lord Shiva, fell.

Sati's eyes or 'nain' are said to have fallen here, giving the lake name, 'Naini', and the name of the town Nainital, 'lake of the eye'.

Nainital had as many as 60 lakes and has lost over 40 lakes due to deforestation, pollution and a general lack of awareness. (ANI)