A viral video showing alleged sewage discharge into the pristine Attabad Lake has led to the partial sealing of Luxus Hotel in Hunza by the Gilgit-Baltistan Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and district administration. The hotel management has been fined Rs. 1.5 million for violating environmental regulations, sparking a heated debate over tourism’s ecological impact in the region.
The controversy erupted after foreign tourists shared footage appearing to show waste flowing from the hotel into the lake, a major tourist attraction formed in 2010 after a landslide. Public outrage grew quickly, with many questioning whether influential figures, including hotel co-owner Kamran Lashari—known for past environmental advocacy—were aware of or complicit in the alleged violations. Critics demanded accountability from all stakeholders, including the Hunza administration, GB EPA, and other permitting authorities.
In response, Luxus Hotel denied the allegations, claiming the murky water visible in the video was due to natural sediment from mountain streams mixing with the lake—a phenomenon called “confluence,” which becomes more pronounced in summer. The hotel insisted it has never dumped waste into Attabad Lake, calling it their “home” and “reason for existence.”
However, skepticism remains high, given the rapid expansion of hotels and restaurants along the lake’s shores, often without proper waste management systems. Authorities have announced inspections of all lakeside establishments to ensure compliance with environmental and safety standards.
This incident highlights a broader crisis in Gilgit-Baltistan’s tourism sector, where unchecked development threatens fragile ecosystems. Past actions by GB EPA against similar violations suggest systemic failures in enforcement. As pressure mounts for transparency, the case raises urgent questions: Is this an isolated incident, or a sign of deeper environmental neglect in Pakistan’s northern tourist hotspots?
With rivers already polluted, activists warn that lakes like Attabad could be next—unless strict regulations and sustainable tourism practices are enforced immediately. The public awaits further evidence and official clarifications to determine whether the viral video exposes negligence or a misunderstanding of natural processes.
For now, the scandal serves as a wake-up call: without accountability, the very beauty that draws tourists to Gilgit-Baltistan may be destroyed by the industry it sustains.
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