
From paradise to landfill? Viral video shows famous Himachal Pradesh hill station turned into a garbage dump
Once hailed as the 'Pride of Himachal,' Kasol, a picturesque village nestled in the
Parvati Valley
, has become the centre of a disheartening conversation. Often sought out by backpackers and nature lovers for its pristine landscapes and laid-back vibe, this Himalayan haven is now trending online for all the wrong reasons. Viral videos circulating on social media platform X have painted a disturbing picture of unchecked pollution, exposing large mounds of garbage dumped across forest areas once celebrated for their natural serenity. As the mountains draw bigger crowds each year, preserving their charm has become more than just a wish, it's a necessity.
The clips show alarming visuals: plastic bags, empty bottles, food wrappers, and other non-biodegradable waste scattered across lush green patches. What should have been a quiet retreat into nature now resembles a neglected landfill. The situation has reignited urgent calls for better
environmental policies
, on-ground enforcement, and awareness campaigns.
Outraged citizens have taken to social media to vent their frustration, not just at irresponsible tourists but also at the apparent failure of local authorities to enforce basic waste management protocols. Many netizens questioned the very purpose of the 'green tax' tourists pay upon entering Himachal Pradesh, wondering where that money actually goes.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Quanto costa trasformare la vasca in doccia?
Remail
Scopri
Undo
— iNikhilsaini (@iNikhilsaini)
One user pointed to the hypocrisy, writing that a degree doesn't equal education, especially when tourists leave behind a trail of filth. Another sharply criticised the state's administration, calling them out for turning an international tourist hub into a dumping ground. Some lamented the decline of responsible tourism, noting that peak summer now brings crowds and chaos to once-serene hill stations.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Time of India
32 minutes ago
- Time of India
QR code-based audio tours at tourist spots to take visitors on immersive digital journey
Lucknow: In a major step to enhance tourist experience and promote cultural heritage, the Yogi govt is set to launch QR code-based audio tour portals and content at 100 key tourist destinations across Uttar Pradesh. "This initiative aims to offer both domestic and international tourists a unique, informative, and immersive journey through the state's rich history, culture and natural beauty. The core feature of the project is the introduction of QR-based audio tours that provide 5 to 7-minute storytelling experiences about the significance of each location," officials said on Saturday. These audio narratives will be available in 10 regional languages—Hindi, Bengali, Tamil, Telugu, Marathi, Gujarati, English, Kannada, Odia, and Malayalam—and 5 international languages—French, Spanish, German, Japanese, and Mandarin—making the content widely accessible. "To ensure a high-quality experience, the audio stories will be recorded by professional voiceover artists and feature background music and ambient sounds to bring historical and cultural contexts to life. Additionally, the platform will include accessibility features such as multilingual subtitles and high-contrast text for the hearing impaired," they said. This project will cover 100 selected tourist sites like the Triveni Sangam and Anand Bhawan in Prayagraj, Shri Ram Janmabhoomi and Kanak Bhavan in Ayodhya, Kashi Vishwanath Temple and Ganga Aarti in Varanasi, the Taj Mahal in Agra, Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi and Banke Bihari Temple in Mathura-Vrindavan, and the Bada Imambara in Lucknow. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Free P2,000 GCash eGift UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo At these locations, weather-resistant QR codes etched on stainless steel will be installed. Tourists can scan these codes to access the audio tours. Asserting that the effort by the state tourism department is a big step towards making tourism modern and accessible through digital technology, officials further said: "The QR codes will be linked with the Uttar Pradesh Tourism website and mobile apps (both Android and iOS), allowing easy access to the content. There will also be offline access available so that tourists can get the information even in low network areas. " To ensure the quality of the content, a team of historians, archaeologists and cultural experts from institutions like Banaras Hindu University, Jawaharlal Nehru University, and the Archaeological Survey of India will review the scripts. This will ensure the information is historically accurate, culturally relevant and interesting for visitors.


Time of India
3 hours ago
- Time of India
'Preparations finalised for Kailash Mansarovar Yatra': Uttarakhand CM Dhami
Preparations finalised for Kailash Mansarovar Yatra": Uttarakhand CM Dhami (Photo: ANI) Uttarakhand chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Saturday announced that preparations for the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra have been finalised, marking a significant milestone as the pilgrimage resumes after a hiatus of three years. Dhami expressed his enthusiasm about the state's readiness to welcome pilgrims, noting that the journey to Adi Kailash has already commenced, and the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra is set to begin soon. "The preparations for Kailash Mansarovar Yatra are being finalised. All the preparations are done. The journey to Adi Kailash has begun. The Kailash Mansarovar Yatra will also begin. It is an auspicious occasion for us that, after so many years, this has again started. All the preparations have been done in the state, and we welcome everyone," the Uttarakhand CM stated. His announcement aligns with a recent release on the resumption of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra from June 30, 2025, after being suspended for three years due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The pilgrimage will follow the traditional route via Lipulekh Pass in Pithoragarh and will be jointly organised by the Uttarakhand Government and the ministry of external affairs (MEA). by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Добро пожаловать в Аравию SAUDI Забронировать Undo The release noted that The Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, which is organised from Lipulekh Pass of Pithoragarh district, has not been conducted since the year 2020 in view of the COVID-19 infection, but this year, due to the special efforts of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Uttarakhand chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, it has been decided to conduct the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra-2025 under the aegis of the Government of Uttarakhand and the MEA. It was decided that Kumaon Mandal Vikas Nigam will operate the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra-2025. This journey will start from Delhi and will be conducted via the Lipulekh Pass route of Pithoragarh, with a total of five teams of 50-50 persons (a total of 250 persons). According to the release, the first team to travel to Kailash Mansarovar will enter China via Lipulekh Pass on July 10, 2025, and the last team will depart from China for India on August 22, 2025. Each team will depart from Delhi and enter China after staying for one night in Tanakpur, one night in Dharchula, two nights in Gunji and two nights in Nabhidang (Taklakot). After Kailash Darshan, on the return journey, the group will depart from China and stay in Bundi for one night, Chaukori for one night, and Almora for one night, and they will reach Delhi. Thus, during the journey, each group will travel for a total of 22 days. The release noted that the health check-up of all the travellers will be done first in Delhi, and on reaching Gunji (Pithoragarh), the health check-up will be done with the help of the ITBP. Meanwhile, on May 21 the MEA successfully drew a total of 750 Yatris for the Kailash Manasarovar Yatra.


India Gazette
3 hours ago
- India Gazette
Himachal cabinet approves trial scheme to curb waste from tourists
Shimla (Himachal Pradesh) [India], May 31 (ANI): In a major step toward tackling environmental degradation in Himachal Pradesh, the state Cabinet on Saturday under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu approved a pilot initiative aimed at managing biodegradable and plastic waste, especially in tourist-heavy regions. Under the new scheme, tourists purchasing plastic or polythene-packed materials will be charged a nominal security fee, which will be refunded upon returning the packaging. The initiative, which will be monitored via QR codes, is being implemented on a trial basis to assess its effectiveness in reducing waste generation and promoting sustainable tourism practices. 'The idea is to encourage tourists and vendors to take responsibility for the waste they generate. The scheme will initially be launched in high-footfall areas and will help address both waste management and pollution concerns,' said Industries Minister Harshvardhan Chauhan, while briefing the media after the Cabinet meeting. Minister Chauhan emphasised that the scheme is part of a broader effort to safeguard Himachal's fragile ecology. 'Plastic and polythene are a major challenge in our hill regions. This refundable fee mechanism is a step toward behavioural change. This will be a trail-based scheme initially to be started at key tourist destinations. Based on QR code scanning, the vendor will charge a nominal fee, and that will be refunded once the plastic pack is disposed of at the collection centre,' he added. Chauhan reiterated the government's commitment to sustainable development. 'Himachal Pradesh is not just a tourist destination, it's our home. Every policy, especially those linked to the environment, must reflect long-term ecological responsibility,' he said. The capital town produces nearly 2,800 tons of solid waste, including plastic, and Manali produces over 1,100 tons per month. During the inflow of tourist seasons, the total from the two destinations is 9,000 tons during two months. A certain amount of garbage remains uncounted and is thrown in hills, destroying the ecology of the Himalayan region. The entire state, in all twelve districts, on average, produces over 15000 tons of garbage per month, and there is no proper disposal in all parts of the state, excluding Shimla and a few more towns in the state. Himachal Pradesh was the first state in the South East Asian region to ban coloured polythene recycled bags and enact a law in 1995. It became the first state in India to ban plastic and polythene carry bags in 2009. And in 2011, plastic cutlery was banned. Later in 2013, with the recommendation of a committee and directions of the High Court, the single-use plastic bags, straws and other packaging materials were also banned, including plastic plates, cups and glasses, but this was challenged in the country's apex court. But people followed this, and most of the plastic in use, excluding packaged materials in plastic, was phased out. The state banned thermocol cutlery in 2018. Despite all these efforts, plastic waste is polluting the hills. (ANI)