Kasol, June 5— A viral video showing massive garbage heaps near Grahan Nala in Kasol has triggered public outrage, exposing the growing environmental crisis in the Manikaran Valley. The footage has intensified scrutiny on local authorities for their failure to control urban waste, despite periodic cleanup drives in eco-sensitive forest areas.
“This place is beautiful, but its charm is being destroyed by garbage in the middle of the forest,” said BJP leader Narottam Thakur, who blamed poor governance. “SADA and the administration have failed in waste management,” he added, noting that tourist fees collected at the SADA barrier are not being used effectively. Thakur said he would escalate the issue to the National Green Tribunal (NGT).
The growing backlash also draws attention to a long-ignored warning from locals who had opposed setting up a garbage treatment facility in the area. “The smell is unbearable and it’s harming the forest,” said Shailender, a resident. “This will hurt tourism in Kasol and Manikaran.”
In response to the uproar, local authorities have initiated cleanup efforts. The Rural Development Department had secured approval in November last year to build a waste treatment plant near Kasol after a two-year land search. Estimated at Rs 1 crore, the plant was to be completed by March. However, dumping began even before construction could start, turning the green belt into a trash site.
Concerns extend beyond environmental degradation. Villagers say past waste management failures at the Rangdi plant in Manali and Pirdi plant in Kullu caused unbearable stench and severe discomfort for nearby residents. They fear a repeat scenario in Kasol, which receives high tourist footfall and holds spiritual significance for locals.
Kaushalya Devi, president of the Kasol Mahila Mandal, voiced alarm over the plant’s proximity to a drinking water source and a religious site. “This isn’t just about the environment, it’s also about protecting our sacred spaces,” she said.
Residents are urging officials to limit waste collection to local villages, excluding refuse from outside areas. “Only then can we keep Kasol clean and safeguard our forest,” they said.
Despite renewed cleanup operations, the incident has raised questions about transparency, planning, and commitment to sustainable tourism in the Himalayan region.
