Tourism push for Erra Matti Dibbalu geo-heritage site

District Collector M. Abhishikth Kishore on Thursday directed officials to take up development initiatives to enhance the tourism and heritage significance of Erra Matti Dibbalu near Bheemunipatnam.

During a visit to the geo-heritage site along with officials from the tourism, revenue, and mines departments, the Collector reviewed the existing conditions and discussed steps to improve visitor amenities while preserving the ecological and geological character of the area. He instructed officials to modernise the viewpoint, install signboards at key locations, and explore ways to attract more tourists in a regulated manner.

Mr. Kishore also sought details on the extent, boundaries, and historical significance of the formations.

Located along the Visakhapatnam-Bheemunipatnam coast, Erra Matti Dibbalu, or Red Sand Hills, is a notified national geo-heritage monument known for its rare red sand dune formations, believed to date back nearly 50,000 years.

A view of ‘Erra Matti Dibbalu’ (red sand dunes), located beside the Visakhapatnam-Bheemunipatnam Beach Road.
| Photo Credit:
RAJU V

First documented by British geologist William King in 1886, the formations provide evidence of ancient sea-level fluctuations, climatic shifts, and coastal geological processes. Spread across nearly 1,500 acres near the Bay of Bengal, the site is regarded as one of the few surviving gullied red dune landscapes in South Asia.

Officials said that the Collector emphasised the need to promote tourism while ensuring conservation of the fragile landscape.

Tourism officials were asked to examine all possibilities for improving visitor experience and to submit proposals highlighting the uniqueness and scientific importance of the site.

Later in the day, Mr. Kishore participated in the State government’s “One Month–One Village–Four Visits” programme at T. Nagarampalem village in Bheemunipatnam mandal, where he interacted with residents and received petitions mainly related to revenue issues.

Addressing the villagers, the Collector said that lasting solutions to local problems could be achieved only through public cooperation and coordinated efforts by officials. He added that revenue officials would visit the village four times in a month to conduct field-level verification of grievances and assess the feasibility of resolving each issue.

The Collector said that the findings, including issues resolved and those that could not be addressed, along with reasons, would be shared with villagers at the end of the programme. He urged residents, including landowners living outside the village, to cooperate with officials during land surveys and field inspections.