Kasol authorities bury untreated garbage inside sanctuary after months of dumping exposed

A shocking video exposing months of garbage dumping inside Himachal Pradesh's Kasol wildlife sanctuary has sparked public outrage and exposed deep flaws in local waste management. Instead of treating the waste, authorities hastily buried it nearly 2 km inside the forest using JCBs, in a clear violation of environmental norms.

The waste — accumulated over the past eight months — included garbage from Kullu, Kasol, hotels, and nearby villages. Local bodies, particularly the Special Area Development Authority (SADA), had been collecting monthly fees from hotels and a green tax from incoming vehicles, but failed to establish a proper waste processing site.

Following the viral video, authorities sent heavy machinery to the spot. However, instead of proper disposal, operators were seen dumping the waste into forest pits and covering it with soil. One driver admitted to acting on the instructions of a local pradhan. The crew fled when media teams arrived.

Environmentalists and locals have condemned the act, with BJP leader Nirotam Thakur vowing to approach the National Green Tribunal. Activist Aman Sood highlighted how authorities delayed action until public scrutiny forced a cover-up, calling it "clear government negligence." Despite claims of progress from local MLA Sunder Thakur, no official site had been developed at the time of dumping.