Why Lambasingi and Vanjangi, the cool new destinations in Andhra, are dreading the tourist season

Besides Araku, both Lambasingi and Vanjangi have in recent years emerged great hill destinations and are known for their scenic beauty and the lowest temperatures in the whole of Andhra Pradesh.

For the last few years, Lambasingi has recorded temperatures as low as 0 degrees Celsius in December and January. Little wonder it is also called “Andhra Kashmir”.

Many tourists from Vijayawada, Rajahmundry, Bhimavaram, and Vizag begin visiting these two places to experience the cold weather in October, and the arrivals only increase by December and January.

Non-existent waste management

“At present, there are no arrangements for the management of solid waste generated by the huge influx of tourists in the winter, especially waste such as plastics and glass,” said nature lover and environmental activist, Sohan Hatangadi.

As plastic and glass are not biodegradable, there is an urgent need to curtail their use, said Hatangadi, adding that there are good practices available for handling plastic and glass waste.

“The public and the government can work together and make a good management plan for handling such waste,” Hatangadi told South First.

Of late there have been statements from various government agencies about promoting tourism in the Eastern Ghats, near Vizag. Those who have seen the new developments taking place in these once clean and green areas are deeply concerned.

“The primary objective of tourism is to generate employment, improve the standard of life of local communities, educate visitors, share cultures and preserve and enhance the local ecosystem,” Hatangadi noted.

“It is not to simply bring large numbers of people into an environmentally sensitive area and allow them to throw the plastic around everywhere.”

Vanjangi, the latest destination

Vanjangi has earned the moniker “Megha Samudram” as the sun emerges behind dense and stagnant clouds between the peaks of two hills. Tourists throng this place to witness the sunrise. With temperatures falling below 5 degrees, tourists make a beeline to Vanjangi as well.

Vanjangi Hills in north Andhra. (Supplied)

A breathtaking spot, located 3,400 feet above sea level, Vanjangi Hills was added to Andhra Pradesh’s tourism itinerary in 2020.

A few trekkers who discovered the spot in 2020 had splashed some photos on several social media platforms, triggering the tourists flow to Vanjangi.

Enchanting tourists with its floating cloud view, the spot draws thousands of tourists on weekends.

As it is a newly found destination Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (APTDC) is yet to intervene and regulate the place.

Tourists are erecting tents that have turned into a new fad wherever they find an open place in Vanjangi, raising alarm bells. Camping tents on rent at Vanjangi can be seen all over the internet.

Campers create problems

While a few groups are involved in organised camping programmes and take responsibility for the upkeep of the surroundings, individual campers are doing much disservice to the environment. These tourists make merry the entire night in a tent and simply leave the place after totally littering it.

“From the local tribals’ point of view, the state government has to take responsibility before allowing tourists to camp in the hills; it should not allow them near tribal villages, except in permitted hotels or resorts,”  said Swati Kanta, a tribal woman who runs a social service organisation RS Swecha Society.

“When I was young… before tourism came to these hills, the place was serene and scenic. But now it is just plastic and litter all around. This is no longer a place for peace,” she the South First.

The extent of the problem is evident from these two videos shot by Sohan Hatangadi.

And here is a video shot by Swati Kantaof the RS Swecha Society last year