PLACES IN NEWS 15th SEPTEMBER 2025

1.  Erra Matti Dibbalu

Why in the News?

1. The Erra Matti Dibbalu (Red Sand Dunes) in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, have been added to the Tentative List of UNESCO Natural Heritage Sites.
2. This recognition highlights their unique geological and ecological significance as rare coastal formations in India.
3. The move could pave the way for global heritage status and greater conservation efforts.

About Erra Matti Dibbalu

1. Meaning: “Erra Matti Dibbalu” translates to “Red Sand Hills” in Telugu.
2. Location: Situated along the Visakhapatnam–Bheemunipatnam Beach Road in Andhra Pradesh.
3. Geological Significance: They are natural sand dunes formed over 18,000–20,000 years ago, shaped by wind and water action.
4. Unique Ecosystem: Spread over hundreds of acres, they showcase rare coastal and aeolian (wind-blown) geomorphological features.
5. Scientific Importance: The dunes serve as a natural laboratory for studying paleoclimate, sea-level changes, and coastal evolution.
6. Conservation Concerns: Threatened by urbanisation, construction, and tourism activities, requiring strict protection.
7. Recognition: Their inclusion in the UNESCO Tentative List is a step toward World Heritage Site status, ensuring international attention and conservation funding.

2. Scarborough Shoal

Why in the News?

1. China has announced the creation of a national nature reserve at Scarborough Shoal to protect coral reefs, covering over 3,500 hectares of ecosystem.
2. The move has angered the Philippines, which claims the shoal lies within its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and accused China of damaging marine life.
3. The shoal remains a flashpoint in the South China Sea disputes, raising tensions with Manila and drawing global attention due to its strategic location.

About Scarborough Shoal

1. Location: A triangular-shaped atoll located about 200 km off the Philippines, inside its EEZ, and around 900 km from China.
2. Names: Known as Bajo de Masinloc or Panatag Shoal in the Philippines, and Huangyan Dao (Island) in China.
3. Strategic Value: Sits near vital shipping lanes in the South China Sea, through which $3 trillion trade passes annually.
4. Fishing Riches: Famous for abundant fish stocks and a turquoise lagoon, providing shelter to vessels during storms.
5. Dispute History: Seized by China in 2012 after a standoff; since then, it has been under Beijing’s effective control with coast guard and fishing vessels.
6. International Law: The 2016 Permanent Court of Arbitration ruling invalidated China’s expansive claims but did not assign sovereignty over the shoal.
7. Conflict Incidents: Frequent tensions include water cannon use, boat ramming, and close encounters between Chinese and Philippine vessels.
8. Geopolitical Importance: A major flashpoint in the South China Sea disputes, watched closely by the United States and other powers, especially under the US-Philippines Mutual Defence Treaty (1951).