Nainital Battles Giant Rat Menace: Lake Walls, Tourism Under Threat

• Nainital faces a severe crisis as rat population explodes, with some rats reportedly growing to the size of cats or larger.
• These giant rats are burrowing into the old protective walls along Naini Lake, causing structural weakening and land subsidence, particularly in Mallital.
• Traditional rat traps are ineffective due to the rats' large size, prompting the Municipal Corporation to seek expert help.
• Nainital Municipal Corporation is in contact with Surat Municipal Corporation for expert assistance and plans to seek help from Haldwani experts if needed.
• The administration aims to resolve the rat problem before March, emphasizing safe methods over chemicals to avoid health and environmental issues.

Why It Matters: Nainital is grappling with an alarming surge in cat-sized rats, threatening lake infrastructure and tourism.