'Maybe There's No Hope': British Vlogger Heartbroken By Trash At West Bengal's 'Lovers' Viewpoint' | VIDEO

A viral Instagram video by British travel vlogger Alex Wanders has once again put the spotlight on India’s growing litter problem at tourist destinations. Wanders, who has been exploring West Bengal, shared

a clip from his journey between Darjeeling and Kalimpong, where he stopped at a picturesque location called ''Lovers’ Viewpoint'' — a scenic spot where two rivers meet but don’t immediately merge, creating a striking natural pattern.What should have been a moment of awe quickly turned into disappointment for the traveller. The camera pans over piles of plastic bottles, wrappers, and discarded waste scattered across the viewpoint, just a few feet away from bins.“It just frustrates me because I keep hearing in my comments, in my DMs, ‘Come to the mountains in India. It’s where you’re going to find the true beauty.’ But it’s the same here. It’s the same treatment of the land. I guess at this point, maybe there’s no hope,” Wanders says in the video, visibly disheartened.He continues describing the scene, adding, “I am currently travelling between Darjeeling and Kalimpong here in West Bengal in Northern India. Another interesting thing about this place is, of course, we’re in India — and where there are many people, a viewpoint, a popular attraction — there’s also going to be trash mindlessly thrown.”Walking through the littered area, he highlights how little effort it would take to dispose of waste properly. “I guarantee you there’s going to be a bin somewhere super close. Bin, viewpoint. Let’s just throw it. Who cares about nature, the planet, the environment?” he remarks with exasperation.

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The creator also comments on domestic tourism and civic responsibility, saying, “You’re only trashing your own country because there’s no international tourists here. Yeah, beautiful viewpoint, but of course, always spoilt. Here we go.”The video has now crossed 81,500 views on Instagram, sparking widespread discussion about India’s persistent waste management issues. Many viewers agreed with Wanders’ observations, lamenting how apathy and lack of civic sense often mar the country’s natural splendour.“That is sad indeed, the nature looks very beautiful. Hope the trash throwing mindset can be changed,” one user commented. Another added, “Good on you for bringing light on this. It’s an issue which is getting worse every day.”The clip has reignited calls for responsible tourism, urging visitors and locals alike to preserve the beauty of India’s natural landscapes instead of contributing to their degradation.