'It smells horrible': Kasol, once the jewel of Parvati Valley, now a dumping ground; videos leave netizens fuming

NEW DELHI: Kasol, a scenic village nestled in Himachal Pradesh’s Parvati Valley and often hailed as the “Pride of Himachal,” has long been a favourite destination for both domestic and international tourists.

However, recent viral videos have cast a shadow over its pristine image.



Videos circulating widely on the social media platform X have sparked public outrage and intense debate. These clips reveal a massive garbage dump accumulating in a forested area of Kasol.

The footage shows heaps of plastic bags, bottles, and other non-biodegradable waste strewn across the green cover—an alarming sight in what was once considered a natural paradise.

Video shows a man expressing deep sorrow and frustration over the deteriorating condition of a once-beautiful neighbourhood. His narration underlines how poor waste management are threatening the region’s ecological balance.

"Bohot gandi smell hai. Phele kaisa tha aur ab dekho kaisa hai (It smells horrible. Look at how it was before, and how it is now)".

The viral footage has garnered numerous views across social media platforms. The content sparked widespread public response.

Viewers were divided in their opinions, with a section criticising the authorities while others pointed out the tourists' irresponsible behaviour that transformed a beautiful location into a waste-strewn site.

"When an unstoppable force (lack of civic sense) meets an immovable object (kamchor administration), it results in a civic masterpiece," one user wrote.

"It’s failure of Authorities, It’s failure of Government, It’s failure of people who visit Himachal and trash the place. Overall as Indians we are failed, uncivilised, manner less and nature destroyers, "another user wrote.

Another user wrote," Sometimes things are beautiful only when you are away from it."