Tirumala-Tirupati: The Tirumala Hills have earned a rare distinction with their inclusion in UNESCO’s tentative list of World Heritage Sites, recognising their rich natural heritage. Alongside the red sand dunes near Bheemunipatnam (Bheemili), seven sites from across India have been shortlisted for potential UNESCO recognition.
UNESCO’s announcement highlighted that the new entries also include Panchgani in Maharashtra, St. Mary’s Island Cluster in Udupi, Karnataka, the Meghalayan Age caves in East Khasi Hills, Meghalaya, the Deccan Traps in Mahabaleshwar, Varkala’s natural heritage site in Kerala, and Naga Hill Ophiolite in Nagaland. With these additions, India now has 69 sites on the tentative World Heritage list.
The Tirumala Hills, considered sacred in mythology, are known as the seven hills — Anjanadri, Vrushabhadri, Seshadri, Neeladri, Garudadri, Narayanadri, and Venkatadri — believed to represent the seven hoods of Adisesha on which Lord Vishnu rests. The region is rich in biodiversity, scenic waterfalls, cool winds, and numerous historic and pilgrimage sites, documented as early as 1830 by travel chronicler Enugula Veeraswamy.
The red sand dunes near Bheemunipatnam, located 200 metres from the coastline and 10–90 metres above sea level, are geologically unique. Formed over thousands of years from windblown sand and shaped by climatic changes and erosion, these dunes feature valleys and formations estimated to be around 3,000 years old. The area has also been used extensively for film shoots. UNESCO recognition could ensure enhanced protection and conservation of this geologically and culturally significant site.