Kasol is gone – Parvati Valley turned dead, no trash, only litter

[Anirudh]

First travelled to Parvati Valley/Kasol in 2008 – no phones, no maps, nothing. Folks were dazed, hardly anyone seemed in control. Most importantly, zero garbage – literally zero. Three or four cafés were there – Evergreen, Bhoj, Shiva Mama and Little Italy. I won't name the café but there was a central table with five chairs and a chillum going round. Killer vibes. You'd even get a sample right at the table before buying. Hardly anyone on their phones. You could smell good quality stuff and see acid vibes everywhere, with occasional coke too. Pure madness, yet I felt completely at peace. I flipped a candy for the first time celebrating my 19th year around the sun.

Visited last weekend and was on the verge of tears. Punjabi and Bhojpuri music blasting all day on that untouched (no more) Chalaal‑Katagla trail. Everything's fancy, hopelessly dead, dying for social‑media validation. Plastic litter everywhere. Broke my heart into a million pieces.

Planned a 3‑day trip but left after one day. Parvati Valley is dead.

[Naman]

This is what happens when poorer folks start earning money.

[Tanya]

This is the widespread effect across the Himalayan states that border the northern regions. Their main fault? Being so close to people with HR‑PB‑UP number plates, making weekend get‑aways easy. The mountains should've been farther away to keep their sanctity intact.