NGT Action Follows Viral Kasol Footage

New Delhi, November 15, 2025: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has recently been prompted to take serious cognizance of a viral video that showed alarming levels of garbage and waste mismanagement in Kasol, a popular tourist destination in Himachal Pradesh.

The footage, which was widely circulated across social media platforms, clearly depicted piles of untreated solid waste, severely contaminating the picturesque natural environment, particularly near water bodies. The shocking visual evidence of pollution was instantly recognized as a violation of environmental norms.

The NGT, an environmental watchdog, was alerted to the dire situation by the public outcry that was generated by the video. A stern rebuke was subsequently issued to the concerned authorities, including the Himachal Pradesh State Pollution Control Board and the local civic bodies. The Tribunal’s immediate intervention was necessitated by the clear failure of the local governance system to ensure the effective disposal of solid waste, as is mandated by the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016.

Detailed Compliance Sought from State Government

Following the initial admonishment, the Himachal Pradesh State Government was formally pulled up by the NGT. A detailed compliance report was strictly sought from the government, which was required to outline the specific steps that have been taken or will be taken to remedy the environmental crisis in Kasol and the surrounding areas. The government was directed to submit comprehensive information regarding its waste management infrastructure, including the capacity of its garbage processing plants and the methods being employed for waste collection and segregation.

The official order that was issued by the NGT also demanded clarity on how the vast amounts of plastic and non-biodegradable waste, which are predominantly generated by the continuous influx of tourists, are being managed. Furthermore, the environmental impact of the unchecked pollution on the Beas River and its tributaries was mandated to be assessed. The local bodies were warned that persistent non-compliance will lead to the imposition of substantial environmental compensation penalties.

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The Impact of Digital Vigilance

The entire episode is being viewed as a powerful instance of how digital media and public vigilance can be utilized to enforce environmental accountability. The clear evidence that was provided by the viral video was deemed sufficient to warrant judicial intervention, circumventing the slow bureaucratic processes that are often associated with environmental redressal. The Kasol video has served as a stark reminder of the fragile ecology of the Himalayan region, which is currently being threatened by unsustainable mass tourism.

The action taken by the NGT is hoped to send a strong message to local authorities across all tourist hotspots in the state, ensuring that environmental protection is prioritized over commercial interests. The widespread circulation of the video has successfully ensured that the issue of garbage pollution in Kasol will be kept under continuous monitoring by both the judiciary and the concerned public.