A viral video of some foreign tourists apparently hosting a psychedelic trance party in the forest areas of Kasol in Himachal Pradesh has drawn widespread outrage on social media. The footage, which emerged over the weekend, shows tourists smoking cigarettes, playing instruments, and dancing deep inside a wooded region believed to be near Kasol in Kullu district.
Video raises concerns over tourism practices
A short video clip shows a woman hanging mid-air from a harness while smoking, surrounded by others playing musical instruments and swaying to trance beats. While the date and location of the video are not independently verified, social media users claimed it was filmed in one of Kasol's secluded forest patches - part of an ecologically fragile Himalayan zone.
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The visuals have sparked outrage online, with users blaming the tourists and the local authorities for the incident. “Looks like Kasol has become a hotspot for these ill activities. These actions must be monitored closely and if they violate any law then strict accountability must be enforced,” wrote one user on X. “I think local govt should have some restrictions in place ...everything under garb of freedom of expression can't work correctly all time,” commented another user.
Debate on tourism vs. ecology rekindled
As per a report by the Free Press Journal, Kasol, often referred to as the “Mini Israel of India,” is a renowned backpacker's paradise, attracting many domestic and international tourists every year. However, it has also earned a notorious reputation regarding its party culture, which operates without any regulation. Environmentalists and locals have time and again warned that such unauthorised congregation causes noise pollution, littering, and degrades the forests.
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The report says experts say such uncontrolled tourism is severely affecting the ecological balance of the area, which has dense pine forests, mountain streams, and rare wildlife. Though there are occasional crackdowns, illegal raves and trance parties are still being organised in certain parts of Kasol and Manali.
What are Psy Parties?
Psy trance parties-or "psy parties"-are electronic music events characterised by hypnotic beats and vivid visuals. Though the origins of such parties lie in Goa and Pushkar, over time, they have gradually begun to expand across Himachal's tourist belts. The recent viral video has once again turned the spotlight on the need for stricter monitoring and sustainable tourism practices in the state's eco-sensitive zones.
