Collector reviews tourism development plans for Erra Matti Dibbalu
Visakhapatnam District Collector M. Abhishikth Kishore on Thursday directed officials to take up eco-sensitive tourism development works at the Erra Matti Dibbalu geo-heritage site near Bheemunipatnam.
During a visit to the site, along with officials from the tourism, revenue, and mines departments, the Collector reviewed existing facilities and instructed authorities to improve visitor amenities without affecting the ecological and geological character of the area. He asked officials to modernise the viewpoint, install signboards at key locations, and explore regulated tourism initiatives to attract more visitors.
Mr. Kishore also sought details regarding the extent, boundaries, and historical significance of the formations.
Erra Matti Dibbalu, also known as the Red Sand Hills, is a notified national geo-heritage monument located along the Visakhapatnam-Bheemunipatnam coast. The rare red dune formations, believed to be around 50,000 years old, were first documented by British geologist William King in 1886.
Spread across nearly 1,500 acres near the Bay of Bengal, the site is considered one of the few surviving gullied red dune landscapes in South Asia and holds geological significance for studies related to ancient sea-level changes and climatic variations.
Officials said the Collector stressed the need to balance tourism promotion with conservation of the fragile landscape. Tourism officials were asked to submit proposals aimed at improving visitor experience while highlighting the site’s scientific and heritage value.
Later, the Collector 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 villagers, Mr. Kishore said local problems could be resolved through public cooperation and coordinated efforts by officials. He said revenue authorities would visit the village four times a month to verify grievances and assess possible solutions at the field level.