Chandigarh, March 21 -- Seeking restoration of Sukhna Lake, MP Manish Tewari has drawn attention of the Lok Sabha to the "alarming shrinkage" of the lake, caused by factors including "encroachment" in its catchment area.

Speaking under Rule 377 of the House, he said, "At the time of its creation, Sukhna Lake had a substantial water-spread area and depth and was designed to function as a major rainwater reservoir, aiding groundwater recharge, flood control and ecological balance of the region. Over the years, however, the size, depth and water-holding capacity of the lake have reduced drastically due to unchecked siltation."

Tewari argued that despite repeated warnings by experts, proper and scientific desilting of the lake has not been ...