AP High Court Halts Excavation at Erra Matti Dibbalu

 Visakhapatnam:The Andhra Pradesh High Court has ordered an immediate halt of excavation activities at the Erra Matti Dibbalu, a renowned geo-heritage site in the Vishakhapatnam district. This decision follows a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by Janasena corporator Peethala Murthy Yadav and fishermen leader Teddu Shankar, who raised concerns over illegal red mud mining in the area.

The court's directive comes in response to alarming reports of extensive digging and destruction of the red clay mounds, which are classified as a sensitive zone under the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) and recognized for their geological significance. The site, characterized by its unique coastal red sediment formations, has been excavated by the Bheemunipatnam Mutual Aided Co-operative Building Society, which allegedly does not have necessary permissions from the concerned authorities.

In their petition (WP(PIL) 155/2024), Yadav and Shankar detailed their findings during a visit to the site in July 2024. They found heavy machinery actively leveling the mounds, which have been formed over thousands of years and are considered one of the last remaining protected red clay mound formations in South Asia. The two leaders, along with the locals, attempted to halt the excavation but faced resistance from those carrying out the work.

The court has issued notices to the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) and other concerned departments to enforce the stop work order previously issued by the GVMC commissioner. The court issued the order due to the findings that over 200 acres of land allocated for construction purposes encroached upon this geo-heritage site without proper clearance.