Red Sand Dunes Destruction Sparks Controversy in Andhra Pradesh

Environmentalists and politicians clash over destruction of national geo-heritage site, Erra Matti Dibbalu, for real estate development

Real Estate DevelopmentGeo Heritage SiteAndhra PradeshEnvironmentalismPoliticsReal EstateJul 27, 2024

Red Sand Dunes Destruction Sparks Controversy in Andhra Pradesh

Real Estate:The ongoing destruction of Erra Matti Dibbalu, a unique red sand dune site on the shores of the Bay of Bengal near Visakhapatnam, has triggered widespread protests from environmentalists and sparked a political row in Andhra Pradesh. Despite the change in government, the site continues to be ravaged, with excavators and trucks removing the red soil for real estate development.

Noted environmentalist Satyanarayana Bolisetti has urged the deputy chief minister, Pawan Kalyan, to intervene and prevent further damage to the site, highlighting its national importance as one of the only two such sites in the country. Another prominent environmentalist, EAS Sarma, has written to the chief secretary, Neerabh Kumar Prasad, expressing concern over the destruction and emphasizing the constitutional obligation to protect natural and cultural heritage monuments.

The issue has taken a political turn, with the opposition YSR Congress Party accusing the ruling Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and its alliance partners of destroying the site for real estate development. YSRCP leader Gudivada Amarnath has criticized the alliance government for supporting the construction work.

In response to the protests, Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has ordered the district authorities to stop the levelling of the land and assess the damage caused to the site. Officials from the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) and revenue department have visited the site and ordered the removal of a shed constructed on government land.

The destruction of the site is not a new phenomenon, with construction work on a weaker sections colony having begun in July 2023 during the previous YSRCP government. Environmentalists have expressed concern over the threat to the rare geological formations, dating back over 18,000 years.

Geologist D Rajasekhar Reddy has highlighted the significance of Erra Matti Dibbalu, which was declared a geo-heritage site by the Geological Survey of India in 2014 and protected by the state government. Research has revealed that the site may have been formed nearly 18,500 years ago during the glacial maxima period.

The government has promised to constitute an expert committee to study the extent of Erra Matti Dibbalu and take steps to protect it from destruction.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Erra Matti Dibbalu?

Erra Matti Dibbalu is a unique red sand dune site on the shores of the Bay of Bengal near Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh.

Why is Erra Matti Dibbalu important?

Erra Matti Dibbalu is a national geo-heritage site and one of the only two such sites in the country, with geological formations dating back over 18,000 years.

What is the controversy surrounding Erra Matti Dibbalu?

The site is being destroyed for real estate development, sparking protests from environmentalists and a political row in Andhra Pradesh.

Who has been accused of destroying Erra Matti Dibbalu?

The ruling Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and its alliance partners have been accused of destroying the site for real estate development.

What steps are being taken to protect Erra Matti Dibbalu?

The government has ordered the district authorities to stop the levelling of the land and assess the damage caused to the site, and has promised to constitute an expert committee to study the extent of Erra Matti Dibbalu and take steps to protect it from destruction.