VISAKHAPATNAM: Andhra Pradesh’s Erra Matti Dibbalu (Red Sand Dunes) and the Natural Heritage of the Tirumala Hills, including the Eparchaean Unconformity, have been included in the UNESCO Tentative List of World Heritage Sites.
Being on the Tentative List is a significant step, as it is the mandatory first stage for any site to be nominated for inclusion in the UNESCO World Heritage List. The inclusion indicates the state’s intent to protect and preserve these natural heritage sites.
Erra Matti Dibbalu, also known as the Red Sand Dunes, is a notified National Geo-heritage Monument located along the coast near Visakhapatnam. Spread over 1,500 acres, the formations are composed of sand, silt, and clay, with their distinct reddish hue resulting from natural oxidation over thousands of years.
The site contains dendritic drainage patterns and sediment layers that record fluctuations in sea level and climatic changes over the late Quaternary period.
First documented by British geologist William King in 1886, these formations are regarded as rare coastal geomorphological features.
Only two other similar sites exist in the world, one in Sri Lanka and another in Tamil Nadu. The Geological Survey of India (GSI) declared Erra Matti Dibbalu a National Geo-heritage Monument in 2016. However, experts note that the site faces threats from tourism and filming activities, highlighting the need for stronger conservation measures.
Expert: UNESCO tag will spur conservation efforts
The Tirumala Hills in Tirupati district are equally significant for their geological, ecological, and cultural value.
The region features the Eparchaean Unconformity, a geological boundary where rocks over 2.5 billion years old meet younger Proterozoic formations of the Cuddapah Supergroup, marking an important gap in Earth’s history. The area also includes the Natural Arch, or Silathoranam, a rare rock formation near the Tirumala temple believed to be over 1.5 billion years old.
The area also includes the Natural Arch, or Silathoranam, a rare rock formation near the Tirumala temple believed to be over 1.5 billion years old.
The hills form part of the Seshachalam Biosphere Reserve and Venkateswara National Park, which are home to diverse flora and fauna, including the endangered red sanders, Cycas beddomei, and Jerdon’s Courser. With seasonal waterfalls, dense forests, and rich biodiversity, the site qualifies under multiple UNESCO criteria for Outstanding Universal Value, covering natural beauty, geological importance, and ecological significance.
Dr. D. Rajasekhar Reddy, convenor of INTACH and retired professor of geology at Andhra University, said, “Being on a UNESCO Tentative List is significant because it is the mandatory first step for a site to be nominated for World Heritage status, indicating a country’s intent to protect and preserve it. This designation encourages conservation efforts, global recognition, potential funding and expertise, and provides a formal process for a site’s inscription.”
According to UNESCO, the Erra Matti Dibbalu site may qualify under Theme 2: Tectonic System and Theme 7: Coastal System as outlined in Geological World Heritage (IUCN, 2021).
Similarly, the Tirumala site may qualify under Theme 1: History of Planet Earth and Evolution of Life, as noted in Geological World Heritage by McKeever and Narbonne (IUCN, 2021). The Tentative List was last revised on August 27.