JODHPUR, Nov. 16 -- The Rajasthan high court observed that the Gadisar Lake (Talab) in Jaisalmer city has received sufficient water over the past two or three seasons and reminded the state government that it is its responsibility to formulate plans for the conservation and augmentation of freshwater in desert areas that receive adequate rainfall. The court directed the government to keep this in mind while filing its response to a public interest litigation seeking protection of the Gadisar Lake. The division bench of justice Vinit Kumar Mathur and justice Bipin Gupta, while hearing a petition filed by Sunil Paliwal on Tuesday, noted that the petitioner has sought an increase in the catchment area of the Gadisar Lake situated in Rajasthan's Jaisalmer and requested that the boundaries mentioned in the notification dated June 12, 1961, be maintained and declared as a protected area of the lake. "The Court also takes note of the fact that Jaisalmer, being a very popular tourist destination on the world map, attracts a large number of visitors from across the globe. Therefore, the present writ (public interest litigation) petition holds significance for maintaining and expanding the catchment area of the Gadisar Lake," the bench said. The bench further observed, "It is also noted that in the last two or three seasons, the Gadisar Lake has received enough water and has even overflowed its total capacity. In the heart of the desert, if the lake is receiving ample water, this Court feels it is the bounden duty of the State Government to formulate schemes for the preservation and conservation of the freshwater resulting from adequate rainfall in the area." "It is expected that while filing its reply to the writ (PIL) petition, the Rajasthan government will take note of the observations made in this order," the high court bench added....