Visakhapatnam’s iconic Erra Matti Dibbalu, renowned for its red sand dunes along the Bay of Bengal, is facing a significant environmental threat due to ongoing ground levelling activities for a housing colony. The controversy has sparked concern among environmental activists and local authorities regarding the preservation of this unique geological heritage site.
Recently, videos circulating on social media depicted heavy machinery leveling the ground at Erra Matti Dibbalu, prompting swift intervention by revenue officials who halted the work. Despite claims by the involved housing society of having obtained necessary permissions for development, activists argue that the site lacks clear demarcation and protective measures. Erra Matti Dibbalu, declared a geo-heritage site by the Geological Survey of India (GSI) and protected by the Andhra Pradesh government on paper, remains vulnerable to encroachments and environmental degradation.
The area’s ecological significance, spanning over five kilometers along the coast and two kilometers wide, highlights its rarity globally, with similar formations found only in Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka. In response to the controversy, the Bheemunipatnam Mutually Aided Co-Operative Building Society Ltd, responsible for the housing project, clarified its ownership of 373 acres near Erra Matti Dibbalu. The society claims to have allocated over 90 acres to preserve the geo-heritage site while developing the remaining land. They have pledged support for fencing the boundaries once officially marked by local bodies.
Environmentalists, however, emphasize the fragile nature of red sand dunes and advocate for stringent protective measures. An environmentalist, stressed the urgent need for defining the site’s boundaries, imposing construction bans, and forming a committee comprising citizens and officials to oversee conservation efforts. Social activists have echoed these concerns, urging the Andhra Pradesh government to take decisive action. They propose designating Erra Matti Dibbalu as a protected area under national and state environmental laws to safeguard its historical and ecological value for future generations.
