A viral Instagram video by British travel vlogger George Buckley accused the Luxus Resort Attabad in Hunza of discharging untreated sewage into Attabad Lake. This allegation prompted immediate action from the authorities in Gilgit-Baltistan. As a result of the Luxus Resort sewage controversy, the resort was fined Rs1.5 million, and a portion of the resort was sealed off.
On June 16, 2025, Buckley posted a video featuring murky brown water near the resort, contrasting sharply with the lake’s iconic turquoise colour. He alleged that the discolouration was due to sewage dumping, based on local reports. “The turquoise water is a beauty of Attabad, but the brown is spreading, and it smells terrible,” he stated. The video gained over one million views and 400,099 likes.
GBEPA’s Response and Actions
On June 17, the Gilgit-Baltistan Environmental Protection Agency (GBEPA), led by Director Khadim Hussain and the deputy commissioner of Hunza, inspected the sewage system at the Luxus resort and confirmed that it violated environmental regulations. As a result, authorities sealed 30 rooms and imposed a fine of Rs 1.5 million on the resort. The closure will remain in effect until compliance is verified. A broader review of hotel permits around Attabad Lake has also been initiated. Buckley later commented, “The hotel was found dumping sewage,” acknowledging that his post drew national attention.
In an Instagram video, Luxus refuted the claims regarding pollution at Attabad Lake, explaining that the water’s cloudiness is due to the natural confluence of glacial silt, a typical occurrence in the summer. They asserted, “No wastewater has been dumped,” referencing a survey conducted in 2021. However, Buckley countered that Luxus provided no recent inspection documents to support their claims.
Read: Viral Video Sparks Outrage Over Alleged Sewage Dumping in Attabad Lake
