Once hailed as the 'Pride of Himachal,' Kasol-a tranquil village tucked in Himachal Pradesh’s Parvati Valley, has recently found itself at the center of a brewing environmental controversy. Known for its breathtaking landscapes and popular among both Indian and international tourists, the village is now making headlines for reasons that are far from scenic.
Viral Videos Trigger Alarm
Disturbing footage that recently went viral on social media platform X (formerly Twitter) has sparked widespread outrage. The clips show massive heaps of garbage, mostly plastic waste, dumped irresponsibly in the forested areas surrounding Kasol. The images of plastic bottles, bags, and non-biodegradable waste scattered across lush green terrain have alarmed environmentalists and nature lovers alike.
In one particularly emotional clip, a local man voices his heartbreak over the declining state of his village. “Bohot gandi smell hai. Pahle kaisa tha aur ab dekho kaisa hai,” he laments-translating to, “It smells terrible. Look at how it was before, and how it is now.”
Public Backlash
The online reaction has been a mix of anger, shame, and frustration. While some netizens pointed fingers at local authorities for failing to implement proper waste management systems, others blamed tourists for their careless and disrespectful behavior.
One user summed up the situation with biting sarcasm: “When an unstoppable force (lack of civic sense) meets an immovable object (kamchor administration), it results in a civic masterpiece.” Another comment expressed collective accountability: “It’s not just the administration. Tourists, too, are to blame. As a society, we’ve failed to protect what little nature we have left.”
Another user commented, "It's good to see people blaming the administration instead of the tourists. All visible litter and garbage result from a corrupt, incompetent administration run by baboons."
An unchecked decline
Environmental experts and local residents have long raised concerns about the unchecked rise in tourism and its side effects-especially during peak seasons. Without proper infrastructure to handle waste generated by the influx of visitors, scenic destinations like Kasol risk being overrun by their own popularity.
Tourist footfall may bring economic benefits, but it also puts tremendous pressure on the region’s fragile ecosystem. The lack of stringent environmental policies, civic awareness, and waste disposal mechanisms is now turning paradise into a polluted dump yard.
Kasol's current state is a grim reminder of what happens when nature is taken for granted. If immediate steps aren’t taken, this once-idyllic mountain retreat may go from being a tourist haven to a cautionary tale. It’s time to protect, not pollute, the very places we escape to for peace and beauty.
