The Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) administration has fined a hotel Rs1.5 million for allegedly dumping sewage into Attabad Lake in Hunza. The action was taken after a video by foreign tourist and vlogger George Buckley went viral. In the video, Buckley claimed the hotel was pumping dirty sewage water into the lake and showed muddy water near the hotel.
The hotel denied the accusation, saying they have been based near the lake for six years and would never pollute it. They claimed the muddy water seen in the video was caused by nearby streams mixing with the lake, a natural event known as “confluence.”
However, Buckley responded that the hotel failed to provide a recent inspection report, only sharing an old one from 2021. He also mentioned a strong smell of sewage at the site, which did not seem natural.
Following the viral video, the GB chief secretary ordered an immediate inspection. A 15-member team found evidence that human waste had entered the lake from the hotel’s sewage system, which was under repair. Officials said there was no major pollution, but the hotel was fined for negligence, and 30 of its rooms were sealed.
Locals said they had previously complained about the hotel polluting the lake but no action was taken until now. The case will now go to court for further legal steps.