Nandyal District - 1 | APPSC State Specific Preparation Course - APPSC (Andhra Pradesh) PDF Download

Salient Features of Nandyal District

Location and Composition

• The name Nandyal originates from "Nandi Alayam," signifying its significance as a central point among nine Nandi temples. This area has been a crucial pilgrimage site since the Vijayanagar Kingdom era due to these temples. 
• Nandyal District is positioned between specific northern latitudes and eastern longitudes. Its altitude varies around 100 feet above sea level. 
• Geographically, it is bordered by various districts and rivers, with a population of 1,687,541 according to the 2011 Census, covering an area of 9154 sq. km. The district is administratively divided into multiple divisions, mandals, municipalities, and villages.

Physiography

• Nandyal District is characterized by two significant mountain ranges, Nallamalas and Erramalas, running parallel from north to south. The Erramalas separate the district into distinct regions from east to west. 
• The eastern part includes several mandals and villages, with the land sloping towards the south along the river Kundu, transitioning into the Pennar valley. The region mainly features black cotton soils.

Climate

• The district typically experiences favorable and healthy climatic conditions.
• January, February, and March are usually mild months with moderate winds blowing from the South-East.
• April and May are the hottest months, characterized by winds from the Southwest and occasional showers by the end of May.
• During the following four months, Western winds dominate, bringing a significant amount of rainfall.
• By the end of September, the wind becomes gentle, signaling the onset of the Northeast monsoon.
• November and December are characterized by fine weather, rare rainfall, light winds, and heavy dew.
• The district receives an average annual rainfall of 724.9 mm, with 784.1 mm recorded in 2019-20.

Rivers

• The principal rivers in the district are the Krishna and the Kunderu.
• The Kunderu, also known as Kumudvathi, originates on the western side of Erramalas and flows southward through various areas before entering Kadapa District.

Flora and Fauna

• The district's forest composition is directly influenced by the climate, soil conditions, and biotic factors in different locations.
• Approximately 32% of the district's total geographical area, covering 301678 hectares, is under forest cover.
• The major forested areas are mainly concentrated in the Nallamalas, Erramalas, and parts of the Velikondas.
• These forests consist of bamboo and various timber species, along with significant occurrences of tamarind and beedi leaves.
• The Nallamalas and Erramalas hills are home to a variety of wildlife, including tigers, panthers, bears, jackals, hyenas, deer, and various other species.
• The Nagarjuna Sagar - Srisailam wildlife Sanctuary has been established to protect wild animals in the northern part of Nallamalas.
• Various game birds like partridges, peacocks, and quails are found in the forests, along with endangered species like the Great Indian Bustard near Rollapadu village.
• The Tiger project initiated near Srisailam in 1983 covers a significant forest area and aims to conserve tiger and panther populations.

Land and Land Use

• The geographical area of Kurnool district is 9.154 lakh Hectares. In 2019-20, 32.95% of the area was covered by forests, totaling 3.017 lakh Hectares. 
• The net area sown accounted for 36.87% of the total geographical area, which is 3.37 lakh Hectares. 
• The district's total cropped area was 38.23 lakh Hectares, with 0.45 lakh Hectares sown more than once during the year.

Irrigation

• In 2019-20, 1.88 lakh Hectares of the district's gross cropped area were irrigated through canals, tanks, wells, and other sources.

Power Supply

• The district's power supply is sourced from the Tungabhadra and Hampi Hydro Electric Power Stations. 
• The Srisailam Hydro-Electric Power Project, costing Rs. 433 Crores, is located near the Srisailam Temple. 
• The project comprises seven Hydro generators of 110 M.W. Capacity each, producing 540.21 Million KWH of electricity in 2019-20.

Mineral Resources

• Kurnool District is rich in limestone suitable for cement manufacture. 
• Additionally, the district holds significant deposits of barites, yellow shale, white shale, steatite, and other valuable minerals. 
• The annual output of these minerals in 2019-20 was 45.53 lakh Tons.

Tourism

Belum Caves

• Location: Belum Caves are situated near Belum village in the Nandyal district, approximately 93 km from Nandyal via Banaganapalli.
• Description: Discovered in 1982, Belum Caves rank as the second largest natural caves in the Indian Subcontinent after Meghalaya Caves.
• Features: The caves consist of three well-like cavities, with the central one serving as the main entrance. Inside, there are long passages, spacious chambers, fresh water galleries, and siphons.
• Landmarks: Notable landmarks within the caves include "Simhadwaram," "Kotilingalu," "Manadapam," and "Pathalaganga," making Belum Caves a significant geographical and archaeological attraction globally.

Valmiki Caves, Boyavandlapalle Village

• Discovery: The Valmiki Caves, sculpted by nature thousands of years ago, were recently unearthed near Boyavandlapalli village in the Nandyal district.
• Significance: These caves, mentioned in ancient texts, are associated with the sage Valmiki, who visited and worshipped the Shivalingam within them.
• Exploration: The caves were discovered in 1983 and have attracted visitors, including German tourists, who explored the caves and revered the powerful Lord Shiva present there.
• Features: The caves boast a natural array of Shivalingas, cascading waterfalls, stone formations resembling elephant heads, and intricate sculptures, creating a mesmerizing natural sanctuary.

Srisailam Dam

• Srisailam Dam is constructed on the River Krishna and spans 512 meters in length.
• Located amidst stunning natural surroundings including ghats, cliffs, ridges, plateaus, and dense forests.
• The dam features twelve crest gates designed to maintain a maximum water level of 885 feet (270 meters).
• It has a storage capacity of 274 thousand million cubic feet.
• Originally planned for hydro-power generation, the dam was repurposed as a multipurpose facility for water supply and irrigation.
• The construction of the Srisailam Hydro Electric Project along the River Krishna benefits numerous villages by providing water resources.
• Ranked as the second-largest hydroelectric project in the country, contributing significantly to power generation.
• During the monsoon season, the dam offers a spectacular view, attracting a large number of tourists.

Eco-Tourism

Rollapadu Sanctuary

• The Rolla Padu Sanctuary, situated in Midthur mandal and around 39 Kms from Nandyal, is known for its diverse range of birds and animals. 
• It is particularly famous as a crucial habitat for the endangered Great Indian Bustard, a large ground bird resembling a young ostrich or peahen.