In a viral incident from Nainital, a group of tourists were caught on camera shouting at locals after reportedly being asked not to litter on the road. The footage, shared online by Instagram user Shinjini Sengupta, highlights the heated argument that unfolded when her sister confronted the tourists for allegedly tossing an empty packet and tissues onto the street instead of using a dustbin. The video, now gaining traction on social media, has sparked discussions around responsible tourism and civic behavior. Many viewers praised the effort to call out such actions, while others expressed disappointment over the tourists’ response, emphasizing the need for maintaining cleanliness in popular tourist destinations.
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Should Tourists Be Penalized for Littering?
Tourists in Nainital scream on being confronted for littering
On December 14, in Nainital, a pair of tourists sparked a confrontation after casually littering the streets following a cake-cutting celebration. According to Shinjini Sengupta, who was vacationing with her sister, the two women disposed of their used tissues and cake packet on the roadside instead of finding a dustbin. When Sengupta’s sister kindly suggested they dispose of their waste properly, the women’s response was anything but cooperative. “There’s no dustbin. Show us where it is. There’s none,” they retorted. Sengupta pointed out that a nearby eatery likely had a bin, even showing the “use dustbin” sign in the video, but the women remained defiant, arguing that one more piece of trash wouldn’t matter in a place already “so dirty.” The incident, captured on video, highlights the ongoing struggle for cleanliness and responsibility in popular tourist spots.
Intervention of locals to stop Nainital tourists from littering
Sensing the heat rising up, a local shopkeeper stepped in, urging the women to properly dispose of the cake box in the dustbin, explaining that local authorities penalize shopkeepers for littering. “Please use the bin, or the police will fine us,” he advised. However, the woman’s driver, instead of following the suggestion, tossed the bag into the valley.
The shopkeeper, taken aback, clarified, “I asked you to use the dustbin, not throw it into the valley” What followed was a tense exchange that quickly escalated. A snippet of the heated argument was shared by Sengupta on Instagram, where the younger of the two women can be heard yelling, “Mind your own business” as she lashed out at those confronting her.
Check out the viral video:
“Shame on those who litter everywhere”: Social media reacts
“English aane se basic etiquettes nhi aate hn”,”Good the video is out. Now she will be famous”, “I wonder what does the school teach us…isn’t it our responsibility to keep our surroundings clean…”, “Shame on those who litter everywhere.and worst part is they call themselves educated.”, “People will never learn unless they are heavily fined”, “Don’t come to devbhumi If you can’t respect the nature”; People on social media are expressing their disappointment and are trolling the irresponsible tourists extensively, calling them out for their actions.
The growing litter problem in commercialized hill stations in India is becoming a significant environmental concern. Popular tourist destinations like Manali, Shimla, and Nainital are experiencing increased pollution due to careless disposal of waste by visitors. Plastic bottles, food wrappers, and other non-biodegradable waste are commonly found littering streets, forests, and water bodies. This not only mars the natural beauty of these areas but also poses serious threats to local wildlife and ecosystems. The influx of tourists, combined with inadequate waste management systems, exacerbates the issue. Promoting responsible tourism and enhancing waste disposal infrastructure are crucial steps to address this growing problem.
Also read:“Humans have so much to learn”: Elephant’s polite gesture to the man goes viral
