‘Erra Matti Dibbalu’ Red Sand Dunes Enter UNESCO’s Tentative Natural Heritage List

Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh — The famous ‘Erra Matti Dibbalu’ (Red Sand Dunes), located along the Visakhapatnam–Bheemunipatnam Beach Road, have been included in the tentative list of UNESCO’s Natural Heritage Sites, a crucial step before gaining inscription on the World Heritage List.

Geological and Cultural Significance

• The dunes, standing 10 to 30 feet high, have long attracted attention and were popularised in Telugu and other Indian films.
• Recognised as one of the 34 national geo-heritage sites, the dunes are believed to have been formed during the Last Glacial Maxima (LGM) around 18,500 years ago.

Scientific Features

• The red coloration of the sand is attributed to ferrous minerals, which react with water and gradually acquire a rusty shade.
• Archaeological findings by Alok Rath and his team in the 1990s unearthed prehistoric stone tools and pottery, indicating early human activity in the region.

Tourism Potential

Stretching along the 30-km beach road, the striking dunes serve as a natural attraction for motorists and tourists alike, enhancing Visakhapatnam’s profile as a coastal tourism hub.

(Source: TH)