Trash crisis: Tourist influx turns Kangra valley into plastic dump

The Kangra valley, a popular tourist destination, is facing a growing environmental crisis as a surge in visitors has left behind piles of garbage and plastic waste.

Advertisement

In the absence of strict enforcement by authorities, tourists have dumped plastic bottles, liquor containers and disposable plates across highways, forests and villages—tarnishing the valley’s pristine beauty. Despite a state directive mandating vehicles to carry dustbins, implementation remains lax.

A visit to tourist hotspots such as Palampur-Baijnath, Gopalpur, and Bir-Billing revealed a disturbing trail of plastic litter in forest areas and popular picnic spots. Local NGOs and youth clubs, including volunteers from Bundla and Kandi, have taken the initiative to clean up the mess, collecting hundreds of empty bottles and plastic waste from water channels and forestlands. Waste Warriors, an NGO active in Bir, has also cleaned several forest areas over the past two weeks.

Environmental groups like People Voice and Environment Healers blamed the unchecked pollution on negligent monitoring and weak environmental laws. They urged the Forest Department, panchayats, and civic bodies to fine violators and step up enforcement. The groups are calling for the immediate introduction of a green tax in the state.

“Preserving biodiversity is impossible without the cooperation of tourists, many of whom lack basic civic sense and continue to pollute our forests and rivers,” said Ashish Sharma, Commissioner of the Municipal Corporation, speaking to The Tribune.