‘Why can't they teach civic sense': Viral video exposes littering at Himachal's Lapas waterfall
People visit waterfalls in Himachal Pradesh for a combination of natural beauty, adventure, and peaceful experiences. The state is renowned for its breathtaking landscapes—majestic mountains, dense forests, and serene waterfalls that draw nature lovers and thrill-seekers alike. However, this scenic beauty is slowly turning into a dumping ground, thanks to irresponsible behaviour by tourists.
The video, shot at Lapas waterfall in Barot Valley, shows tourists openly drinking alcohol and carelessly throwing empty bottles and trash into the water.
In a sharply sarcastic tone, the woman labelled the footage as 'India has best civic sense.' She highlighted how the rise of small, makeshift food stalls has led to serious waste management issues, with heaps of plastic and other trash cascading into the valleys instead of being properly disposed of.
'You find a pretty place, and it's immediately capitalised and turned into a market,' she said in the video.
The disturbing video shared by travel content creator Saumya on her Instagram page @techiestraveller has gone viral for all the wrong reasons. The caption on her viral post read: 'Just kidding. We lack civic sense.' The clip has garnered 946 thousand views and 23.7 thousand likes on Instagram, sparking widespread outrage online.
A post shared by Saumya Pathak ( Techie |Traveller | Thinker) (@techiestraveller)
The backlash in the comments section was swift and severe. One user wrote, 'You are right. Even Next Gen isnt improvised in right direction.' Another added, 'So tragic. Glad you raised this issue. Kudos.'
Another voice joined in with frustration, commenting, 'I believe, it's the outcome of a failed education system. Why can't they teach civics sense, motor vehicle rules and basic constitutional law in schools. There needs to be a text book on civics sense and manners in schools all over India.'
One user directly called out local involvement as well, writing, 'This is Lapas waterfall, Barot Himachal Pradesh and it has been completely destroyed by the tourists and the villagers who live there. They openly sell beers and encourage this pathetic behavior! Sad to see and no action by @himachaltourismofficial @himpolice'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
36 minutes ago
- Time of India
5 wildlife sanctuaries in India for shutterbugs who love the wild side
If your idea of a perfect shot involves more growls than grins and more paw prints than passport stamps, welcome to the club of wild-hearted shutterbugs! Wildlife photography isn't just about waiting in jeeps and hoping a tiger blinks at your lens, it's a thrilling blend of patience, timing, and the occasional monkey trying to photobomb your frame. Ready to this? Here are five Indian wildlife sanctuaries where nature makes for the ideal backdrop of your photograph. Ranthambhore National Park , Rajasthan Ranthambhore is basically all about drama, with royal ruins draped in vines and the odd banyan tree posing, giving you the drama, history, and a dash of danger. The tigers here love a bit of limelight, especially around water bodies like Padam Talao. Capture them mid-prowl or mid-yawn, and you've got a frame worthy of awards and jealous Instagram DMs. Kaziranga National Park , Assam Kaziranga's one-horned rhinos know how to strike a pose, wait to find them against a backdrop of tall grasslands, swampy wetlands, and misty hills. With elephants plodding through, wild buffaloes grazing, birds doing aerial acrobatics, every corner here is a photo op waiting to happen. Sunderbans National Park, West Bengal The Sunderbans is less about crisp tiger portraits and more about mystery. This mangrove maze is home to the elusive Royal Bengal Tiger, and while you may not always spot one, the tension in the air? Totally photogenic. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like The Most Beautiful Women In The World Undo Think shifting tides, claw marks on tree trunks, and crocodiles playing peek-a-boo from under your boat. It's like the noir version of wildlife photography — thrilling, shadowy, and weirdly addictive. Keoladeo National Park, Rajasthan If you prefer wings over whiskers, Keoladeo is your feathery paradise. Once a royal duck hunting ground, it now hosts thousands of migratory birds — from vibrant kingfishers and cranes to the odd pelican with main-character energy. Bring your longest lens, because these birds are both camera-shy and dramatically fashionable. Mornings here are a meditative blend of fog, flutter, and the occasional splash. Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, Kerala Periyar is where wildlife photography slows down, takes a deep breath, and goes cruising on a boat. Located around a peaceful lake in Thekkady, the sanctuary offers shots of elephants drinking at the shore, sambars hiding in the greenery, and otters being their adorable, slippery selves. The misty Western Ghats backdrop adds cinematic flair, making every frame feel like a still from documentary. One step to a healthier you—join Times Health+ Yoga and feel the change
Indian Express
2 hours ago
- Indian Express
‘Going back happily, happily…': UK couple killed in Air India crash were in India for Ayurvedic retreat
'Just boarding. Goodbye, India' — This was part of the farewell message posted by a British couple on the Instagram handle of their spiritual wellness brand before they boarded the London-bound Air India flight AI-171 from Ahmedabad on Thursday afternoon. The aircraft, with 242 people on board, crashed shortly after take-off. Fiongal Greenlaw-Meek and Jamie Ray Meek, who ran The Wellness Foundary, were returning to the UK after coming to India for an Ayurvedic retreat. In a video they posted on Instagram, recorded at Ahmedabad airport before they boarded the plane, Fiongal said, 'We are at the airport. Just boarding. Goodbye, India.' He joked with Jamie, asking him about the 'biggest takeaway from the trip', before jovially saying, 'My biggest takeaway is don't lose patience with your partner.' He then said, 'Going back happily, happily, happily, calm.' In another video that seemed to have been recorded the night before at their hotel, Fiongal said, 'So, it's our last night in India and we have had a magical experience, really. There have been some quite mind-blowing things… We are going to make a vlog about the whole trip and share it.' Sitting with him, Jamie said, 'There's been too much… It would be just so nice to remember this and to share it with everybody, because we really have been on quite a journey, and then just spending the last night here in this amazing hotel. We've just had the most delicious thali food. It was the perfect way to round up the trip… Excited to share it all with you, actually.' Fiongal, a tarot reader, had quit his job as a fashion designer to start his spiritual wellness brand, offering services such as psychic readings, tarot readings, reiki healing, sound baths, psychic development courses, past life regression therapy and bespoke events. He founded 'The Wellness Foundry' in 2018, 'born out of a profound spiritual awakening that was sparked by a mysterious illness', the company's website said. On his personal website, he described himself as an 'artist, seer, mystic and illustrator'. The website said Fiongal graduated from the Royal College of Art and had worked with leading fashion houses in London. Jamie, a spiritual practitioner and yoga teacher, joined the company in 2023 as co-director and head of events. The duo also ran a podcast, Spirit Level, where they shared perspectives on mindfulness and spirituality. Fiongal had told a friend last week that he was in Gujarat for an Ayurvedic retreat. Saatvika Mangharam, a Bengaluru-based yoga teacher who had known Fiongal since 2017 when they met at an ashram in Madurai, described him as 'a sweet, kind and gentle person'. 'He put up a status on social media that he was coming to India. On June 3, I texted him on Instagram to catch up, but he said he is in Gujarat for an Ayurvedic retreat. When I saw their video online yesterday, I was shocked. I knew they were in India, but I did not expect to see them in the crash. I messaged him to check, but there was no response,' she said. 'In the video, he bid goodbye to India, and it turned out to be their final goodbye. His last note on Instagram was 'headed home' with a sad emoticon. It is all so uncanny,' she said. Saatvika said, 'We met at an ashram in Madurai in 2017, where he had come for a yoga teacher training course, and I was a volunteer there at the time. Over the years, we remained in touch online. During Covid, I attended some of his sessions online.'
Time of India
9 hours ago
- Time of India
Pusa Rd to stay shut till June 17 for drain work
New Delhi: Commuters on Pusa Road should prepare for a challenging week as the Public Works Department (PWD) begins stormwater drain work between Pillar No. 111 and 114. The road, shut since June 12, will remain so till June 17. To prevent waterlogging in nearby areas such as Bada Bazar and Old Rajendra Nagar, the carriageway between Sir Ganga Ram Red Light and Pusa Road will be completely closed to all vehicles. Delhi Traffic Police has issued traffic diversion advisory. Heavy vehicles are advised to use Vande Mataram Marg, Shankar Road or Ram Nath Vij Marg. Light vehicles may opt for Sir Ganga Ram Road or Shankar Road via Pusa Road. Motorists are urged to plan their journeys, follow traffic signage, and cooperate with traffic personnel deployed at key intersections. The advisory also requests people to avoid unnecessary halts near the work zone. While diversions may slow down traffic temporarily, authorities ensure that arrangements are in place for monitoring and assistance. For real-time updates, commuters can visit the Delhi Traffic Police website or follow their handles on social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, and X. One of the residents pointed out that it's good that vacations are on as there are lots of schools on the way. Otherwise, there would be more problems. TNN Follow more information on Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad here . Get real-time live updates on rescue operations and check full list of passengers onboard AI 171 .
