‘It smelled like sewage’: Vlogger’s video sparks crackdown at popular Hunza resort

Web Desk: A viral video by foreign travel vlogger George Buckley has sparked a major environmental controversy at the picturesque Attabad Lake in Gilgit-Baltistan, prompting swift action by local authorities against the Luxus Hunza resort.

Buckley, a travel influencer with a global following, visited the scenic lake and shared a video alleging that the Luxus Hunza hotel was discharging untreated sewage into the lake’s otherwise pristine waters. In the video, Buckley pointed to a brownish tint in certain areas of the lake and noted a strong foul odor, claiming it was consistent with sewage pollution. He also cited a local resident who supported the claim, saying the contamination had been ongoing for some time.

The video quickly went viral on social media, sparking outrage among environmentalists, tourists, and concerned citizens. Many called for urgent government intervention to safeguard one of Pakistan's most iconic natural sites. The growing public outcry prompted the Gilgit-Baltistan Environment Department and the deputy commissioner of Hunza to carry out a surprise inspection of the resort.

Following the inspection, officials found several damaged manholes on the hotel premises. As a result, parts of the hotel were sealed, and a fine of Rs1.5 million was imposed. Authorities also issued a notice directing the hotel management to upgrade its sewage and waste management systems within a week to meet environmental standards.

In response, Luxus Hunza issued a strong denial on Instagram, calling the allegations baseless and a misinterpretation of natural phenomena. The hotel insisted that the discoloration in the lake’s water was not due to pollution, but rather natural glacial silt. “We have come across a recent video circulating online that falsely accuses our hotel, Luxus Hunza, of discharging sewage into the lake. We strongly deny these baseless allegations. This is a serious misinterpretation of natural phenomena,” the hotel stated.

Luxus Hunza further explained that its operations had always adhered to eco-friendly practices and regulatory standards. “From day one, we have gone above and beyond to ensure our operations are fully sustainable and eco-friendly. An environmental impact survey was conducted before opening, and all necessary approvals were obtained,” the statement read.

The hotel assured the public that its waste management system is fully compliant with regional environmental laws and poses no threat to the lake’s ecosystem. It reaffirmed its commitment to preserving Hunza’s natural beauty, stating, “Luxus Hunza is more than just a resort—it’s our home.”

In a follow-up post, the resort elaborated that the muddy appearance of the water near its location was caused by "adjacent water streams coming from the mountains" carrying natural sediments like mud, rocks, and minerals. When these streams mix with the clear blue water of Attabad Lake, the phenomenon known as “confluence” occurs, creating a cloudy or muddy appearance. The resort noted this is especially common during summer, when sediment runoff increases due to glacial melting. “Every summer Luxus Hunza is falsely accused of dumping waste water into the lake,” it stated.

However, Buckley responded to the hotel’s explanation with skepticism. In a comment on the resort’s Instagram post, he claimed the only environmental document the hotel had shared was a report from July 2021. “I’ve asked three times to see an inspection report after that date conducted by the EPA and local government... yet you have provided nothing,” he wrote. Buckley also maintained that during his stay, he and his companions were overwhelmed by a strong sewage-like odor, which he said could not be explained by natural silt runoff.

As the debate continues, the incident has underscored growing concerns about the environmental impact of tourism and resort development in fragile ecosystems like Attabad Lake. Authorities have pledged to monitor the situation and ensure compliance with environmental regulations.