- A video shows that Kempty Falls in Uttarakhand is surrounded by buildings, affecting its charm
- Heavy commercialisation and overtourism have changed the natural landscape
- Visitors expressed disappointment over the lack of conservation efforts
A video going viral on X has left viewers shocked at the sight of Kempty Falls in Tehri Garhwal, Uttarakhand. Located around 13-15 km from Mussoorie, the high-volume waterfall cascades nearly 40 feet down the mountains, forming several ponds below. However, heavy commercialisation and overtourism seem to have drastically changed the landscape.
As seen in the video, a few tourists can be spotted while the waterfall is surrounded by shops and dhabas on either side.
The text accompanying the video read, "Poor waterfall is just surrounded by hideous, half-finished buildings. Flanked on all sides and being attacked. Being nature is a crime in India. No sense of aesthetics, no planning, zero space, civic sense dehydrated tourism."
The clip quickly went viral on X, with several users expressing shock and disappointment over the condition of the once-picturesque destination.
Take a look at some of the reactions:
One user wrote, "Kempty Falls, right? I had heard so much about it, but it was awful when I visited. Idiots serving Maggi in the water." Another commented, "How did those buildings even get permissions... no wonder nature comes back with a fury every year."
Expressing concern over the construction around the waterfall, one user wrote, "Who is the crazy person to even think of it as a tourist place when homes are being built less than 100 metres from the waterfall? It can only happen in India."
Another viewer added, "Kempty Falls used to be amazing. Visited again and saw this hideous abomination. Never visiting again. We are failing to conserve our nature in its best form - natural."
One user shared, "I visited this place in 2022, and it was a complete mess," while another simply described it as "looking dystopian".
Comparing it to other tourist destinations, a viewer wrote, "The rest of India has a lot to learn from the North-east."
Another chimed in, "Recently been to Kathmandu. Heartening to note how beautifully they have maintained their heritage sites, viz. Patan Darbar and Bhaktapur Darbar locales, in their pristine original glory. No ugly concrete structures around heritage sites."
