What & where:
Erra Matti Dibbalu—“red sand hills” in Telugu—are striking coastal dunes along the Visakhapatnam–Bheemunipatnam (Bheemili) Beach Road in Andhra Pradesh. Deep gullies, cliffs and ravines cut through rust-coloured sands right by the Bay of Bengal.

Why special:

• Natural “history book” of the coast: layered sands record past sea-level and monsoon changes (late Quaternary).
  
• Red colour comes from iron-rich sediments oxidising.
• Already notified as a National Geo-heritage Monument; used as an outdoor lab for students and scientists.

The news: The site has been added to India’s UNESCO Tentative List for Natural Heritage— the mandatory first step before a full World Heritage nomination.

Why this matters:

• Focuses national attention on protection and research.
• Triggers preparation of a nomination dossier (boundaries, threats, management plan).
• Can boost responsible geotourism and local livelihoods.

Current risks:
Unregulated footfalls and filming, construction pressure nearby, littering, and natural erosion.

What protection should look like:

• Clear no-build and buffer zones
• Boardwalks/viewpoints to limit trampling
• Waste control & signage; guided trails
• Regular erosion monitoring and school/community stewardship

Exam flash: Location—Vizag–Bheemili coast; landform—red coastal dunes; value—Quaternary climate/sea-level record; status—UNESCO Tentative List + Geo-heritage Monument.

One-line wrap: A fragile coastal archive in red sand, now a step closer to global recognition.