Forest Dump Scandal Rocks Himachal Tourist Hotspot

The Kullu administration has reported to the National Green Tribunal (NGT) that a section of forest land in Kasol, within the Parvati valley, was utilized for storing and segregating municipal waste. This interim measure was implemented following the refusal of the Rangri solid waste management plant near Manali to accept garbage from Kasol starting in July 2024.

The decision to use the forest area was made by the Special Area Development Authority (SADA), Manikaran, on July 11, 2024, as stated in a status report filed with the NGT. The waste-management contractor temporarily stored waste there for segregation after transportation to Rangri was disrupted.

Previously, a solid waste management plant project in Kasol faced significant delays, with an approximately Rs 51 lakh allocation. The tender for this project was rescinded, and the contractor was blacklisted for six months due to lack of progress.

A new waste management arrangement for the Manikaran special area was established in April 2026 through a tripartite agreement. Since May 2026, an NGO has been managing waste collection and operations. As of July 13, 2026, over 90 tonnes of waste were collected, with substantial portions processed or sent for recycling.

The temporary waste storage site has since been cleared. The NGT had initiated a suo motu case in June 2025 after viral videos showed forest areas littered with waste, prompting responses from the Kullu administration and others.