Kasol’s Garbage Woes: NGT Steps In, Final Hearing Set for January
Kasol, the popular Himachal hill station known for its scenic beauty, is now in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons. A viral video showing the town buried under heaps of garbage has prompted the National Green Tribunal (NGT) to take serious note of the worsening waste crisis.
On November 14, the Tribunal, led by Justice Arun Kumar Tyagi and Dr. Afroz Ahmad, heard Original Application No. 294/2025 and issued a series of strong directions to state authorities. The case will now head for a final hearing on January 16, 2026.
Missing Replies Raise Eyebrows
The Bench flagged a technical lapse: while the Deputy Commissioner of Kullu submitted his reply on November 10, the municipal authority claimed to have filed its response online two days later — but the Registry said it never received it. The Tribunal has asked the Registry to dig into the issue and ensure such glitches don’t derail proceedings.
High Court Case Running in Parallel
Interestingly, the Himachal Pradesh High Court is already hearing a related case since June. The NGT clarified that it will continue its own proceedings but, in case of conflicting directions, the High Court’s orders will take precedence.
Strengthening Waste Management
Reacting to the viral video, the Tribunal directed the municipal body to step up solid waste management immediately. It asked for new and alternative arrangements to be made in consultation with the District Environment Committee, and a detailed compliance report under the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016 to be filed within two months.
Top Officials Brought In
To ensure accountability, the Tribunal has added the Chief Secretary, Principal Secretary (Urban Development), and Principal Secretary (Rural Development) as respondents. Their involvement signals that the issue is now being treated as a state-level priority.
Action Under New Environment Law
The Bench also highlighted the Jan Vishwas Act, 2023, which toughened penalties under the Environment Protection Act, 1986. The Chief Secretary has been asked to file an affidavit detailing steps taken in Kullu and penalties imposed on violators — whether government departments, officers, or private parties.
Departments to File Reports
Both the Urban and Rural Development departments must submit compliance reports, while the Deputy Commissioner of Kullu has been tasked with updating the district-level status.
What’s Next
The matter is now set for final hearing on January 16, 2026. For Kasol, the outcome could determine whether its waste crisis is finally tackled with seriousness — or whether the piles of garbage continue to overshadow its natural charm.
