Since then, Khajjiar, well known for its tall whispering deodars, majestic cedars and sprawling saucer-shaped green meadows with a marshy natural lake in the middle, has witnessed an endless struggle to live up to its glory.
Today, Pawan Kumar, a professional photographer says, “Khajjiar is dying an unnatural death. The lake is full of weeds, mud, slush and garbage. It’s shrinking due to encroachments. The water has turned dark black, is highly polluted and emits a foul smell. You can’t touch it. It’s totally dirty. The trees around the lake are also dying or few are left to die”.