A well-known hotel in the Gojal area of Hunza has been sealed and fined Rs. 1.5 million by authorities after a foreign vlogger posted a viral video showing the hotel discharging sewage directly into the pristine waters of Attabad Lake.
Director of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Khadim Hussain, confirmed the action, stating that the hotel had committed a serious violation of environmental regulations.
“The hotel was issued a No Objection Certificate (NOC) that clearly included environmental protection clauses. The violation of these conditions has led to the immediate sealing of the establishment and imposition of a Rs. 1.5 million fine,” he said.
The incident drew widespread public concern after the video circulated on social media, triggering calls for urgent intervention by environmental bodies and local authorities.
Government of Gilgit-Baltistan spokesperson, Faizullah Firaq, told media that the provincial administration had taken prompt notice of the incident and directed the Hunza district administration to conduct a thorough investigation.
“Environmental sustainability is a key requirement in the issuance of tourism-related permits. We are now reviewing the specific terms that may have been breached by the hotel,” he added.
Public circles and environmental activists have demanded exemplary action against such violators to preserve the ecological integrity of Hunza, a region known globally for its natural beauty and tourist appeal.