Context:
Recently, two natural heritage sites in Andhra Pradesh, Erra Matti Dibbalu (Red Sand Dunes) and the Tirumala Hills, have been included in the UNESCO Tentative List of World Heritage Sites.
About Erra Matti Dibbalu:
Located along the coast near Visakhapatnam, Erra Matti Dibbalu—also known as the Red Sand Dunes—spans over 1,500 acres. This distinctive site is composed of sand, silt, and clay, with its reddish hue resulting from natural oxidation over millennia.
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- The dunes showcase dendritic drainage patterns and sediment layers that record historical changes in sea levels and climate fluctuations during the late Quaternary period.
- First documented in 1886 by British geologist William King, the site is considered a rare coastal geomorphological feature, with only two other similar sites in the world, one in Sri Lanka and another in Tamil Nadu.
- Recognized by the Geological Survey of India (GSI) as a National Geo-heritage Monument in 2016, Erra Matti Dibbalu faces pressures from tourism and filming activities, prompting calls for stronger conservation efforts.
- The dunes showcase dendritic drainage patterns and sediment layers that record historical changes in sea levels and climate fluctuations during the late Quaternary period.
About Tirumala Hills:
The Tirumala Hills in Tirupati district, featuring the Eparchaean Unconformity, a geological boundary that highlights an important gap in Earth's history, where 2.5 billion-year-old rocks meet younger Proterozoic formations.
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- The region also boasts the Silathoranam (Natural Arch), a unique rock formation near the Tirumala temple, believed to be over 1.5 billion years old.
- Part of the Seshachalam Biosphere Reserve and Venkateswara National Park, the area is home to rare species such as the endangered red sanders, Cycas beddomei, and Jerdon’s Courser.
- With dense forests, seasonal waterfalls, and a rich diversity of flora and fauna, the Tirumala Hills are a key ecological, geological, and cultural treasure.
- The region also boasts the Silathoranam (Natural Arch), a unique rock formation near the Tirumala temple, believed to be over 1.5 billion years old.
About UNESCO Tentative List:
The UNESCO Tentative List is an important step in the journey for cultural and natural heritage sites to achieve World Heritage status.
· The Tentative List is an inventory of cultural and natural heritage sites that a country intends to nominate for inclusion in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
· It acts as a preliminary step, marking a nation’s intent to protect and preserve its significant heritage sites.
· A site must be included in the Tentative List at least one year before it is officially nominated for World Heritage status. Countries are encouraged to revise and update their Tentative
· Lists every 10 years to reflect new discoveries or changes in preservation needs.
About UNESCO:
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- UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) is a UN agency established in November 1945.
- With its headquarters in Paris, UNESCO has 194 member states and promotes quality education, scientific research, and cultural preservation through initiatives like the World Heritage List.
- UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) is a UN agency established in November 1945.
Conclusion:
The inclusion of these sites on the UNESCO Tentative List is a promising sign for Andhra Pradesh’s geo-heritage conservation, providing a platform for these unique formations to gain the global attention and protection they deserve.
