Introduction: Parvathipuram Manyam District

Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. General Physical Aspects
3. Rivers
4. Flora
5. Fauna
6. Climate
7. Temperature
8. Soils
9. Water Resource Projects
10. Agricultural Resources
11. Live Stock Resources
12. Forest
13. Minerals
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Introduction

• Parvathipuram Manyam District was established on 04.04.2022 with its headquarters in Parvathipuram, a prominent town in the North Eastern Andhra Pradesh region of Southern India. This district was created by dividing territories from the neighboring districts of Srikakulam and Vizianagaram.
• Belonging to the north circars of Coastal Andhra, it comprises 16 Revenue Mandals, 3 Towns, 993 Villages, and a population of 972,135 residents. The name of the district indicates a significant presence of Scheduled Tribes, particularly in areas like Kurupam, G.L.Puram, Parvathipuram, Komarada, Paachipenta, Salur, Makkuva Seethampeta, Mentada, and parts of Jiyyammavalasa Mandals.

General Physical Aspects

• Parvathipuram Manyam District was established on April 4, 2022, with its headquarters located in Parvathipuram Town. This formation occurred following the reorganization of districts in the state of Andhra Pradesh after its division into Andhra Pradesh and Telangana on June 2, 2014.
• The district is situated within the Northern Coastal plains of Andhra Pradesh, positioned between 17°15' and 19°15' of Northern Latitude and 83°0' to 83°45' of Eastern Longitude.
• It shares boundaries with Srikakulam district to the East, Vizianagaram district to the South, Visakhapatnam District to the South-West, and Odisha State to the North-West.
• For administrative purposes, the district is segregated into two Revenue Divisions: Parvathipuram and Palakonda, which were already in existence at the time of the district's formation.

Hills

• The district is geographically divided into two primary natural regions: plains and hills.
• The hilly area is predominantly covered with dense forests, forming the Agency tract of the district.
• Due to its hilly terrain, the elevation in this region is uneven.
• The plain region of the district is characterized by well-cultivated land.

Agency

• The Agency tract mainly comprises hilly regions nestled within the Eastern Ghats, which run parallel to the coast from the North-East to the South-West.
• Notable hill ranges within the Agency tract include Dumakonda, Antikonda, Palakonda, Kodagandi, and Gamatikonda, all part of the Eastern Ghats.
• These hill ranges and their detached hills exhibit a clear North-West-South-East orientation.

Parvathipuram Division

• In the Parvathipuram division, the hills are relatively lower and characterized by steep, rugged profiles without plateaus.
• The hills in this division lack broad plateaus, instead featuring narrow, almost parallel ridges.

Rivers

• Nagavali: This river, also known as Langulya in its lower reaches, originates in the steep hills of Rayagada taluk in Orissa State. It flows through Komarada, Jiyyammavalasa, and Garugubilli mandals before entering Srikakulam district, where it meets the Bay of Bengal near Srikakulam. The Nagavali river spans 200 kilometers in total, with 112 kilometers flowing through Vizianagaram district. It has a catchment area of 8,964 square kilometers and receives an annual water flow of about 1.21 million hectares. Some of its main tributaries include Vegavathi, Suvarnamukhi, Janjhavathi, and Vottigedda.
• Suvarnamukhi: Originating in the hills of Saluru, this river flows eastward and eventually joins the Nagavali river in Palakonda mandal of Srikakulam district, primarily passing through the Bobbili area.
• Vegavathi: Starting in the Pachipenta hills of Pachipenta mandal, this river flows in a direction almost parallel to Suvarnamukhi and ultimately merges with the Nagavali river.
• Gomukhi: Emerging from the Eastern Ghats, the Gomukhi river flows in a north-west direction of Saluru. It connects with Suvarnamukhi after passing through several villages.

Flora

• The district experiences rainfall from both monsoons, having a tropical climate. The forests in the area showcase various local changes in quality, composition, and density influenced by factors such as soil moisture, climate, altitude, slope, and proximity to the sea. 
• The vegetation spectrum ranges from Xerophytic species in dry conditions to less Xerophytic and Mesophytic species in higher regions with more moisture and cooler climates. 
• The forests exhibit diversity in flora, with heights ranging from 6 meters in poorer areas to over 20 meters in better regions. Forest density varies from dense forests in remote areas to sparse open forests due to human activities near settlements.

The Forest Types Found in the District

• Southern Tropical Moist Mixed Deciduous forests
• Northern Tropical Dry Deciduous forests - Sal type
• Southern Tropical Dry - Mixed Deciduous forests
• Dry Deciduous Green forests
• Dry Ever Green forests

Fauna

• Fauna in the district is abundant in the interior hill regions but faces a significant threat of extinction primarily due to habitat loss and uncontrolled poaching.
• The principal animals and birds found in the region, ranging from the sea-coast to the high plateau, include the Yellow Bat, Sloth Bear, Wild buffaloes, Fox, Hare, Hyena, Jackal, Mongoose, and various bird species like the Blue Rock Pigeon, House crow, House sparrow, Common Myna, etc.
• With the implementation of the Wild Life Protection Act of 1972, there is hope for the improvement and restoration of the region's wildlife to its former glory.

Climate

• The climate in the District is characterized by consistently high humidity throughout the year. Summers are oppressive, and there is significant seasonal rainfall.
• Summer spans from March to mid-June, followed by the South-West monsoon season until the second week of October.
• The post-monsoon or retreating monsoon season occurs from mid-October to the end of November.
• December to February typically experiences generally pleasant weather conditions.
• The climate in the hilly areas of the district differs from that of the plains due to heavier rainfall, resulting in cooler temperatures compared to the plains.
• The maximum temperature is usually recorded in May, while the minimum temperature is observed in December.
• For example, during the summer season, the high humidity levels can make the weather feel particularly oppressive, leading to discomfort for residents. The onset of the South-West monsoon brings relief from the summer heat, as the region receives much-needed rainfall, aiding agricultural activities.

Temperature

• In the inland low-lying areas of the district, summer temperatures are typically 2 to 3 degrees higher than those in the coastal regions.
• Temperatures in the hilly terrain are generally a few degrees cooler than in coastal areas, depending on the altitude.
• Starting from mid-February, temperatures increase rapidly until May, which marks the hottest month.
• The average daily maximum temperature in May is around 35°C, while the average minimum temperature is about 27°C.
• Coastal regions experience high humidity, making the weather particularly oppressive.
• Thunder showers and sea breezes in the afternoons provide some relief from the heat in coastal areas.
• When the southwest monsoon arrives around mid-June, daytime temperatures decrease slightly.
• However, nighttime temperatures see only a slight drop during this time.
• Following the withdrawal of the southwest monsoon in early October, temperatures begin to progressively decrease.
• December and January are the coldest months, with the average daily maximum temperature around 28°C and the minimum around 18°C.
• During the fine weather season, nighttime temperatures can occasionally drop to about 11°C.

Soils

• The primary soil types in the District include Red soils, Sandy Loams, and Sandy Clay, which cover 96% of the total area. These soils are mainly loamy with moderate fertility.
• Red loamy soils are predominant in dry lands, while clay loamy soils are more common in wet lands. Some areas have soil layers as thick as 4 meters, possibly indicating alluvium along valleys.
• Various types of rocks are plentiful in the District, contributing to the soil composition and characteristics.

Water Resource Projects

• The major rivers in the District are Nagavali, Vegavathi, Gomukhi, Suvarnamukhi, Champavathi, and Gosthani, each playing a crucial role in the region's water resources.
• Several key water projects, such as Thatipudi Reservoir, Vegavathi Project, Vattigedda Project, and others, contribute to irrigation, covering around 43,984 hectares in the District.
• Nagavali River spans approximately 112 kilometers in Vizianagaram District, irrigating an Ayacut of 2,832 hectares. Gostani River originates in Anantagiri forest area, while Suvarnamukhi River starts in the hills of Salur Mandals, eventually merging with Nagavali at Sangam Village.
• Vegavathi River, originating in Pachipenta Hill, flows parallel to Suvarnamukhi, benefiting an Ayacut of 2,428 hectares.

Agricultural Resources

• Parvathipuram Manyam District primarily relies on agriculture, with 68.4% of its workforce engaged in this sector.
• About 82% of the district's population resides in rural areas and depends on agriculture for their livelihood.
• Rainfed farming is the prevailing method in the district, with approximately 80% of the cultivated land solely dependent on rainfall.
• Even the irrigated areas in the district rely significantly on local rainfall, leading to uncertainty in irrigation.
• Due to unreliable irrigation conditions, the majority of crops grown are dry crops.
• Paddy cultivation mainly occurs during the Kharif season, with 80% of the area under tankfed conditions, which, in turn, rely on local rainfall.
• The principal crops grown in the district include Paddy, Ragi, Bajra, Sugarcane, Pulses, Mestha, Cotton, Maize, Korre Chillies, Seasonal Tobacco, and Groundnut.
• Yields in the district are generally low due to the erratic rainfall patterns experienced.

Live Stock Resources

• The majority of livestock maintained by the inhabitants are non-descriptive and generally less productive.
• A cross-breeding program was initiated in the district to improve livestock quality.
• Sheep in the district are primarily non-descriptive.
• As per the 2017 livestock census, the district's livestock population is 7.45 lakhs, including 2.65 lakhs cattle, 0.50 lakhs buffaloes, 2.41 lakhs sheep, and 1.90 lakhs goats.
• The poultry population in the district is 9.36 lakhs.
• There are 83 veterinary institutions, including hospitals, operating in the district.
• 319 RBKs (Rural Backyard Poultry Units) are available, with 258 currently functioning with regular Animal Husbandry Assistants as of April 2, 2022.

Forest

• The total forest area in the district spans 1,02,784 hectares, which accounts for 38.7% of the district's total geographical area.
• Various plantations including cashew, timber, bamboo, beedi leaves, and fuel plants are being cultivated extensively to enhance forest resources and provide employment opportunities for the tribal communities.

Minerals

Granite (Column)

• Quartz is the significant mineral found in the district. It occurs in Parvathipuram and Makkuva Mandals.

Quartzite Deposits:

• Between Tudi and Vangara: A prominent quartzite deposit covering an area of 43 hectares.
• Between Bejji and Patapuram: Another significant quartzite deposit with a strike length of 1.5 km and a hill height of 282 m.
• North of Regulapadu: Situated to the north of Regulapadu village, extending in NWSE direction for about 2.5 km.

Characteristics of Quartzite:

• Interbedded with Khondalite.
• Massive and greyish white in color, indicating a sedimentary nature.

Manganese Ore in Palakonda Mandal:

• Associated with gametiferous quartzite near Tudi, but of low grade.

Lime Kankar in Bhamini Mandal:

• Reported 1.2 km northeast of Puttigam, found in nodular form and hard.

Vamsadhara River:

• Originates in the Eastern Ghats of Orissa State.
• Enters Srikakulam District in Bhamini Mandal.
• Flows into the Bay of Bengal near Kalingapatnam.