Littered beaches spark outrage over tourism responsibility

A video showing liquor bottles littered on a Lakshadweep beach has caused a wave of outrage online. The footage was shared by a tourist named Pragya Gupta, who was shocked by the amount of waste she found during her visit. Lakshadweep is famous for its beautiful beaches, but Gupta’s experience highlighted the issue of pollution in popular tourist spots. In her video, she expressed her disappointment about the lack of care for the environment, stating, "As Indians, we cannot progress in terms of tourism, very sad." Many people on social media agreed with her concerns and called for stricter cleanliness rules. Some users were particularly upset about the behavior of other visitors. Comments included frustrations about people traveling without a sense of responsibility. One user noted that while many can afford to travel, they often lack basic civic awareness. Another individual mentioned that local businesses contribute to the problem, citing a café that allegedly releases waste directly into the ocean. In contrast, acts of responsible tourism were highlighted elsewhere. A pair of Danish tourists were seen cleaning up litter on their way to Yumthang Valley in North Sikkim. Their effort caught the attention of locals and fellow travelers. A video of their act quickly gained popularity online. These examples show that even small actions can help preserve the beauty of tourist destinations. The situation in Lakshadweep raises questions about how to promote better environmental practices among both tourists and locals.