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

The Prakasam District

• The Prakasam District is named after the distinguished freedom fighter and first Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, Sri Tanguturi Prakasam Panthulu.
• He was born in Vinodarayuni palem, a village in Naguluppala Padu Mandal of the district.

Geography and Topography

• The district is bordered by the Bay of Bengal in the east and by neighboring districts in the west, north, and south.
• Located in the tropical region, the district features rocky hills, stony plains, and shrubs.
• The central part of the district has a unique landscape with a mix of hills and plains.

Natural Resources

Hills

• The district is characterized by the prominent Nallamalas and Veligondas hill ranges, separating it from Kurnool and YSR Districts. The Nallamalas consist of rugged, steep hills averaging 620 meters above sea level, spanning 113 kilometers in length and 32 kilometers in width from north to south. 
• These hills cover several mandals including Giddalur, Markapur, Ardhaveedu, Cumbum, and Yerragondapalem, forming the boundary between Giddalur Forest Division and Kurnool District forest divisions. Notable passes in the Nallamalas include Nandi Kanuma and Manbala Kanuma, facilitating communication between Kurnool and Bellary districts in Karnataka, as well as connecting Dornala, Yerragondapalem, Markapur, and Atmakur. 
• The Veligonda range comprises two parallel, steep hills running north to south with a wide valley between them. The eastern range's watershed delineates the boundary between Giddalur and Kanigiri mandals, with water draining northward into the Gundlakamma River.

Sea Coast

• With a coastline of 50 kilometers, the district encompasses coastal areas including N.G.Padu, Ongole, Kothapatnam, Tangutur, and Singarayakonda mandals.
• Some mandals feature beaches, notably Kothapatnam in Kothapatnam Mandal and Pakala in Singarayakonda Mandal.

Rivers

• The district is watered by rivers including the Gundlakamma, Musi, and Paleru, along with smaller rivers like Thammileru, Sagileru, and Gudisileru, and streams such as Ogeru Vagu, Nallavagu, and Vedimangala Vagu. 
• The Gundlakamma River originates near Gundla Brahmeswaram in the Nallamala forest, flowing northeastward through various mandals before joining the Bay of Bengal near Devarampadu. The Musi River begins near Dokkalasala in the Veligondas, meandering eastward and then southward through several mandals before reaching the Bay of Bengal near Madanur. 
• Similarly, the Paleru River originates in the Veligondas and traverses several mandals before emptying into the Bay of Bengal at Pakala.

Climate and Rainfall

• The district experiences moderate climate due to sea breeze along the coastal areas, while inland areas, especially upland tracts and hills, endure severe summer heat.
• Maximum temperatures typically reach 40.2°C, occurring primarily in April, May, and June. Rainfall, mainly from southwest and northeast monsoons, averages 366.2 mm and 384.7 mm respectively. 
• However, agriculture faces challenges due to erratic rainfall and reliance on tanks and wells for irrigation.

Forestry

• Covering 30.86% of the total geographical area, the district boasts a significant forest cover of 4,42,073 hectares. The renowned Nallamalla forest spans Giddalur, Komarole, Racherla, Ardhaveedu, Yerragondapalem, Pullalacheruvu, and Dornala mandals. 
• Coastal areas feature orchards alongside casuarinas and cashew plantations. Historical records indicate that the Nallamalla Forest was once home to wildlife and tiger populations.

Irrigation Potential

• Nagarjuna Sagar Project and Krishna Western Delta fall under Major Irrigation.
• Mopadu Reservoir, Paleru-Bitragunta Anicut, and Cumbum tank are sources categorized under Medium Irrigation.
• There are 798 Minor Irrigation tanks supporting cultivation with an Ayacut of 89,267 Hectors.

Area, Population and other related particulars

• The district spans across an area of 14,323 Sq.Kms. with a population density of 160 persons per Sq.Km.
• It features a coastline stretching over 50KMs across 5 Mandals.
• There exist a total of 857 villages, out of which 769 are inhabited, and 88 are uninhabited as per the 2011 Census.
• As per the 2011 Census, the district's total population is 22,88,026, with 49.27% being female.
• The rural population accounts for 80.56% of the district's population, while the urban population constitutes 19.44% spread across 9 Towns.
• The Scheduled Caste population is 5,37,159, representing 23.48% of the district's population.
• The Scheduled Tribe population is 88,209, making up 3.86% of the district's population.
• The district's literacy rate stands at 62.45%, with a sex ratio of 971 females per 1000 males.
• There are 9,74,923 main workers in the district according to the 2011 Census.

Administrative Units of the District

• The District comprises three Revenue divisions - Ongole, Kanigiri, and Markapur, along with 38 Mandals.
• It includes 1 Municipal Corporation (Ongole), 1 Municipality (Markapur), and 5 Nagarapanchayats (Chimakurthy, Giddalur, Podili, Darsi, Kanigiri).
• Ongole division has 12 mandals, Kanigiri division has 13 mandals, and Markapur division has 13 mandals, totaling 38 mandals in the district.
• The district also houses 1 Municipal Corporation, 1 Municipality, 5 Nagara Panchayats, and 734 Gram Panchayats.
• There are 750 inhabited Revenue villages organized into 734 Gram Panchayats.

Parliament and Assembly Constituencies

• The district is represented by 2 Parliamentary constituencies, namely Bapatla and Ongole.
• There are a total of 8 Assembly Constituencies in the district:
  • Y.Palem (SC)
  • Darsi
  • S.N.Padu (SC)
  • Ongole
  • Kondepi (SC)
  • Markapur
  • Giddalur
  • Kanigiri

Tourism Potential in Prakasam District

• The Prakasam district holds significant tourism potential due to its religious monuments and rich historical heritage.
• It offers a diverse range of attractions, from historical structures to Buddhist monuments, and from beaches to sanctuaries.

Tourism

Beaches

• Kothapatnam is a charming coastal village nestled in the Prakasam district of Andhra Pradesh, India. Situated in the Kothapatnam mandal within the Ongole revenue division, Kothapatnam Beach stands out as a premier attraction in Ongole. Located just 18 km away from the city, this beach offers a delightful escape for both locals and tourists alike. 
• Visitors are enchanted by the crystal-clear blue waters, expansive sandy shores, and gentle breezes that characterize this serene spot. Boating activities are also available for those seeking a bit of adventure. While the beach sees a surge in visitors during the Karthika Purnima festival, it generally remains a tranquil destination throughout the year.
• Transportation options to Kothapatnam are limited. There are no railway stations in close proximity, with the nearest options being Ongole Rail Way Station and Karavadi Rail Way Station, both reachable from nearby towns. The primary railway hub, Guntur Jn Rail Way Station, is located approximately 112 km away from Kothapatnam. 
• In terms of road connectivity, Ongole serves as the nearest town with accessible routes to Kothapatnam. Additionally, APSRTC Bus Services operate a number of buses from major cities to Kothapatnam, making it relatively convenient to reach this coastal gem.

Pakala Beach

• Pakala, a quaint village situated in the Prakasam district of Andhra Pradesh, is another hidden gem waiting to be explored. 
• Positioned within the Singaraya Konda Mandal, Pakala enjoys a picturesque setting along the Bay of Bengal, just 5 km east of Singarayakonda and 3 km north of Ullapalem, with the sea gracefully lapping at its eastern shores. 
• The village is geographically located at coordinates 15°16' N and 80°04' E, with elevation levels ranging from one foot near Pallepalem to around 25 ft (7.6 m) on the western side of the village.

Temples

Tripuranthakam

• Description: Tripuranthakam, a renowned and historic town in Prakasam District, Andhra Pradesh, India, derives its name from the ruler Tripurantakeswarudu. The town is home to the famous Sri Bala Tripurantakeswara and Sri Bala Tripurasundari Devi temples.
• Sri Bala Tripurasundari Devi Temple: This temple has a rich history and houses the authentic idol of Sri Bala Tripurasundari Devi.

Bhairavakona

• Description: Bhairavakona, a sacred site nestled in the heart of the Nallamala Hills in Prakasam district, Andhra Pradesh, is known for the Sri Trimukha Durgamba Mahadevi temple and Sri Barguleshwari Swamy temple. Bala Bhairava Swamy stands guard over the location.
• Location: Situated 43 km from Udayagiri, APSRTC's Udayagiri depot provides buses to Seetharamapuram, which is 15 km from Bhairavakona. Share autos from Seetharamapuram offer a convenient mode of transportation to Bhairavakona.
• Features: The area boasts an ancient Shiva temple and a spectacular 200-meter waterfall. Additionally, eight temples are intricately carved into the hillside. A unique attraction is the phenomenon where moonlight illuminates the goddess Parvati idol at a temple on Kartik Poornima day.

Reservoirs

Gundlakamma Reservoir

• The Gundlakamma project, situated on the Gundlakamma River, features a dam with a height of 80 feet at Mallavaram, boasting a storage capacity of 12.845 million cubic meters. The primary objective of the project is to irrigate 62,368 acres during the Kharif season and 80,060 acres during the Rabi season, with an investment of Rs. 592 crores. 
• In November 2008, water from the project was ceremoniously released by the late Chief Minister Dr. YS Rajasekhar Reddy. Additionally, the project serves the drinking water needs of around 250,000 people in Ongole.
• In order to fulfill the government's commitment to provide water to all lands within the Ayacut, a high-level canal was excavated at a height of 22.5 meters from the rear end of the Right Main Canal. Although the canal construction is largely complete, a small section remains pending due to ongoing litigation in the Hon’ble High Court of Andhra Pradesh. 
• Nevertheless, water has been released through the canal in recent years, benefiting farmers. Despite its significance, the High-Level Canal is not mentioned in the project brief provided earlier. Therefore, this petition seeks to include information about the High-Level Canal in the aforementioned Project brief.

Mopadu Reservoir

• The Mopadu Reservoir, a medium-sized project constructed between 1906 and 2121, covers an area of 6.47.5 square kilometers and has a capacity of 61 million cubic meters. 
• It primarily irrigates 12,719 acres in Pamur Mandal of the district and 12,519 acres in Kondupuram Mandal in Nellore district.