DISTRICT SURVEY REPORT KURNOOL DISTRICT

District Survey Report - 2018

DMG, GoAP 1

DEPARTMENT OF MINES AND GEOLOGY

Government of Andhra Pradesh

DISTRICT SURVEY REPORT KURNOOL DISTRICT

Prepared by

ANDHRA PRADESH SPACE APPLICATIONS CENTRE (APSAC)

ITE&C Department, Govt. of Andhra Pradesh

2018

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS


DMG, GoAP 2

APSAC wishes to place on record its sincere thanks to Sri. B.Sreedhar IAS, Secretary to Government (Mines) and the Director, Department of Mines and Geology, Govt. of Andhra Pradesh for entrusting the work for preparation of District Survey Reports of Andhra Pradesh. The team gratefully acknowledge the help of the Commissioner, Horticulture Department, Govt. of Andhra Pradesh and the Director, Directorate of Economics and Statistics, Planning Department, Govt. of Andhra Pradesh for providing valuable statistical data and literature. The project team is also thankful to all the Joint Directors, Deputy Directors, Assistant Directors and the staff of Mines and Geology Department for their overall support and guidance during the execution of this work. Also sincere thanks are due to the scientific staff of APSAC who has generated all the thematic maps.

VICE CHAIRMAN APSAC


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TABLE OF CONTENTS Contents Page

1. Salient Features of Kurnool District 1

1.1 Administrative Setup 1

1.2 Drainage 2 1.3 Climate and Rainfall 3

1.4 Transport and Communications 8

1.5 Population and Literacy 9

1.6 Important Places 11

1.6a Places of Tourist Interest 12

1.6b Places of Religious and Cultural importance 14

1.6c Places of Economic and Commercial importance 16

2. Land Utilization, Forest and Slope 18

2.1 Land Use / Land Cover Classification 19

2.2 Slope Map of the District 33

2.3 Forest Cover Distribution 34

3. Agricultural Resources in the Kurnool District 36

3.1. Agriculture and Soils 36

3.2. Kharif Rice Estimation using SAR data 38

3.3 Kharif and Rabi crop acreage Estimation using Optical Remote sensing data:

38

3.4. Horticulture of Kurnool District 41 4. Water Resources and Irrigation Resources of the District 49

4.1 River basin in Kurnool District 49

4.2 Major and Medium Irrigation Projects in Kurnool District 50

4.2.1 Major Irrigation Project 51


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4.2.2 Medium Irrigation Project 52

4.3 Tank Information System 53

4.4 Ground Water Scenario and Quality of the District 54

4.4.1 Geomorphology of the District 54

4.4.1a Landforms of Crystalline aquifers: 55

4.4.1b Consolidated Sedimentary Formation 56

4.5 Ground Water Prospects in the District 56

4.6 Ground Water Level Scenario 57 4.7. Ground Water Resources 59 4.8 Ground Water Quality of the District 60 4.9 Status of Ground Water Development 62

5. Geology and Mineral Resources of the Kurnool District 64

5.1 Geology of Kurnool District 64

5.2 Mineral Resources of Kurnool District 67

6. Details of Major and Minor Minerals Their Production 69

6.1 Mineral Resource of Kurnool District 69

6.2 Details of Mineral Resources of Kurnool District 69

6.3 Mineral Based Industries in Kurnool District 74 6.4 Overview of Mining Activity in Banaganapalle Mandal, Kurnool District

77

References 81

LIST OF FIGURES


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Figure Page

Fig.1 Administrative Boundaries of Kurnool District 1

Fig.2 Drainage Network and Surface Water bodies 3

Fig: 3 Automatic Weather Stations in Kurnool District 4

Fig.4 Distribution of Rainfall in Kurnool District 5

Fig.5 Transport Network of Kurnool District 9

Fig: 6 Mandal wise Distribution of Scheduled Caste Population and Types of Hostels and Residential Schools in Kurnool District, Andhra Pradesh 11

Fig: 7 Important Tourist places map in Kurnool district 14

Fig.8 Land Use / Land Cover Map of Kurnool District during 2015-16 20

Fig. 9 General Slope of Kurnool District, Andhra Pradesh 33

Fig. 10 Forest covers map of Kurnool District during 2015-16 35

Fig: 11 Soil Resource Map of Kurnool District 37

Fig: 12 Salt Affected Soil Map of Kurnool District 37

Fig. 13 (a) Ground truth data overlaid on multi-temporal RGB image, (b) Rice cropped area and (c) Transplantation date-wise rice cropped area over Kurnool District.

38

Fig: 14 Cotton Cropped area estimation in Kharif 2016-17 39

Fig: 15 Bengal gram crop acreage estimation Rabi 2016-17 40

Fig. 16 Drainage and Basins Kurnool District 50

Fig. 17 Major and Medium Irrigation Projects of Kurnool District 52

Fig.18 Geomorphology of Kurnool District 55

Fig.19 Ground Water Scenario in Kurnool District, 57


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Fig. 20 Depth to Water Level Pre-Monsoon May, 2012 58

Fig. 21 Depth to Water Level Post- Monsoon Nov, 2012 59

Fig. 22 Ground Water Quality Map of Kurnool District 62

Fig: 23 Piezometer Observation wells in Kurnool District 63

Fig.24 Geology of Kurnool District, Andhra Pradesh 65

Fig.25 Detailed Legend with Stratigraphic Sequence of Kurnool District 66

LIST OF TABLES Page


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Table :1 Mandal Wise Average Annual Rainfall (mm) 6

Table :2 Category-wise Distributions of Land use/Land Cover during 2015-16

21

Table: 3 Forest cover distribution of Kurnool district 34

Table: 4 Cotton Crop acreage estimation in Kharif 2016-17 40

Table: 5 Bengalgram crop acreage estimation in Rabi 2016-17 40

Table: 6 Aerial Extent (Ha) of Fresh Fruits with Production (MT) in Kurnool District (2017-18)

43

Table:7 Aerial Extent (Ha) of Vegetables with Production (MT) in Kurnool District (2017-18)

44

Table:8 Aerial Extent (Ha) of Spices with Production (MT) in Kurnool District (2017-18)

46

Table:9 Aerial Extent (Ha) of Flowers with Production (MT) in Kurnool District (2017-18)

47

Table:10 Aerial Extent (Ha) of Medicinal & Aromatic Plants with Production (MT) in Kurnool District (2017-18)

48

Table: 11 Drainage System with Description of main rivers 53

Table: 12 Salient Features of Important Rivers and Streams 53

Table: 13 Mineral Resources under the jurisdiction of ADM&G, Banaganapalle, Kurnool District

78

1. Salient Features of Kurnool District

1.1 Administrative Setup


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Kurnool district is the South-Western district of Andhra Pradesh and lies approximately between 14°54′ to 16°18′ North latitudes and 76°58′ to 79°34′ East longitudes. The district is bounded by Mahabubnagar district on the North, East by Prakasam and South by Anantapuramu and YSR districts and West by Karnataka State. The total area of the district is 17,617 Sq.Km, and ranks 3rd position contributing 6.42% area of the State. The shape of the district is rectangular from East to West. Kurnool district lies on the South Central Western part of the Andhra Pradesh State bordering Karnataka State on the West, Mahbubnagar district on the North, East by Prakasam, while Anantapur & YSR districts on the south. Kurnool town was once the State Capital of Andhra Pradesh upon bifurcation from Madras State during 1956 shown in fig: 1

Fig.1 Administrative Boundaries of Kurnool District, Andhra Pradesh

1.2 Drainage


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The principal rivers flowing in the district are Tungabhadra (its tributary, the

Hundri) Krishna and Kunderu. Tungabhadra rises in the Western Ghats and after

forming part of Northern boundary for some distance, separates Kurnool with

Mahabubnagar while flowing in an Eastern direction and receives Hundri; thereby

both these rivers fall into the river Krishna at Kundli sangam about 29 Km from

Kurnool after winding Northwards. The river Hundri, a tributary of Tungabhadra

rises in the fields of Maddikera in Maddikera Mandal receives a stream from

Erramalas at Laddagiri in Kodumur Mandal and joins Tungabhadra at Kurnool. It

drains much of Maddikera, Pattikonda, Deverakonda, Gonegandla, Kodumur and

Kallur Mandals. This is a turbid stream with sudden rise and fall. The Kunderu also

called Kumudavathi rises on the Western side of Erramalas, winds its way into

Kunderu valley and flows in Southern direction collecting drainage all along its

course from both sides. It flows through Orvakal, Midthur, Gadivemula, Nandyal,

Gospadu, Koilkuntla, Dornipadu and Chagalamarri Mandals and then enters YSR

district shown in fig: 2


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Fig.2 Drainage Network and Surface Water bodies of the District

1.3 Climate and Rainfall

At hinterland, temperature variations throughout the year can be very high and the

diurnal range of temperature varies from place to place. Inland areas warm up

greatly during the afternoon while the sun is shining down, but they also cool

down quickly at night after sunset. The Climate of the district is normally good and

healthy. January, February and March months are usually pleasant with moderate

winds from South-East. April and May are the hottest months of the year, during

these months the wind shifts to Southwest with increased force and brings

welcome showers by the end of May. During the succeeding four months, the

wind blows from Western side in Major parts of the district and brings fair


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quantum of rainfall. By the end of September, the wind is light and pleasant

forecasting the onset of Northeast monsoon. In November and December the

weather is fine, Rainfall is rare and wind is light with occurrence of heavy dew.

District normal rainfall of the year is 670.3 mm. During 2014-15 the rainfall received

is 473.9 mm. The rainy season commences with the onset of the South-west

monsoon in the part of June shown in fig: 3

Fig: 3 Automatic Weather Stations in Kurnool District

The rainfall in the district in general increases from the East towards the West. The

normal rainfall of the district is 670 mm. The highest amount of rainfall of 902 mm

is received during the year 2000 - 2001, while the least amount of rainfall of 505

mm is recorded during the year 2002–2003. The total rainfall received during the


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decade is 6,981.2 mm as against the normal rainfall of 6,700 mm; with a rainfall

deviation of 3.12 %. During the South-West monsoon season for the decade, the

district received 4793.5 mm as against the normal rainfall of 4550 mm of rainfall;

with a rainfall deviation of 5.35 %, while North-East monsoon was very weak.

Generally, July is the rainiest month shown in fig: 4

Fig.4 Distribution of Rainfall in Kurnool District, Andhra Pradesh


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Table :1 Mandal Wise Average Annual Rainfall (mm)

S No Mandal Name Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec TOTAL

1 BANDI ATMAKUR 7.06 5.56 27.28 111.75 98.66 205.80 241.01 332.63 472.98 208.30 76.07 7.81 1794.91

2 RUDRAVARAM 0.59 1.79 9.30 23.28 31.10 108.89 171.14 198.33 161.66 131.84 31.70 5.66 875.27

3 ADONI 2.59 1.72 9.20 17.59 44.69 83.89 95.33 128.29 134.06 112.10 22.97 5.34 657.78

4 ALLAGADDA 0.65 0.42 7.03 14.30 43.89 91.97 139.23 164.25 144.49 120.70 39.04 5.33 771.30

5 ALUR 4.50 1.64 6.45 17.64 44.71 66.00 72.64 89.46 119.55 128.72 22.51 4.43 578.25

6 ASPARI 7.62 3.95 9.20 15.61 43.06 82.19 80.16 108.38 112.98 101.54 19.81 4.26 588.76

7 ATMAKUR 2.02 2.56 6.83 16.86 37.41 102.55 159.17 178.20 155.75 111.63 18.98 3.55 795.52

8 BANAGANAPALLE 1.04 3.36 6.42 18.25 43.85 74.45 90.75 103.31 130.05 107.56 29.67 4.70 613.39

9 BETHAMCHERLA 0.16 2.93 14.59 22.38 46.41 79.28 108.15 128.10 154.06 120.82 36.80 1.66 715.34

10 C BELAGAL 2.49 2.57 7.07 19.23 33.43 84.47 95.88 115.07 147.16 105.27 18.80 2.59 634.03

11 CHAGALAMARRI 0.00 2.80 3.77 13.07 38.93 61.84 90.14 148.21 129.63 128.23 31.97 4.25 652.84

12 CHIPPAGIRI 1.55 2.96 10.76 25.88 57.48 60.35 64.64 96.36 110.53 109.08 22.63 2.84 565.06

13 DEVANAKONDA 2.40 2.59 8.84 19.67 39.09 85.67 79.86 106.59 121.35 98.33 20.51 4.86 589.76

14 DHONE 0.46 2.04 8.50 29.72 50.26 82.09 97.48 115.88 141.54 113.33 34.36 4.61 680.27

15 DORNIPADU 0.00 4.39 5.76 12.22 41.90 92.24 104.49 137.24 150.57 102.77 22.26 3.81 677.63

16 GADIVEMULA 1.81 0.81 3.15 12.33 38.72 80.65 131.36 131.42 138.85 82.52 21.58 3.18 646.37

17 GONEGANDLA 2.31 3.68 7.97 17.42 43.00 72.19 90.37 124.90 134.77 105.80 18.82 2.84 624.09

18 GOSPADU 0.88 3.17 6.29 15.84 38.69 81.77 135.20 157.40 150.52 106.44 27.96 2.58 726.72

19 GUDUR 2.00 4.19 6.71 18.96 36.40 76.64 97.87 122.53 132.40 92.61 29.59 3.15 623.06

20 HOLAGUNDA 3.91 1.69 8.64 19.24 41.57 68.31 72.67 111.87 118.01 106.22 20.81 3.91 576.85

21 JUPADU BUNGALOW 2.88 4.07 7.71 23.91 37.64 104.14 136.39 153.14 137.83 98.68 15.19 3.35 724.92

22 KALLUR 2.40 0.51 17.48 27.25 48.51 90.25 111.65 127.38 130.36 107.58 16.64 0.67 680.67

23 KODUMUR 4.62 2.86 11.91 23.95 45.52 73.68 94.98 93.46 132.59 110.01 18.09 0.84 612.51

24 KOILKUNTLA 0.56 1.80 6.13 20.08 39.94 81.15 111.14 118.89 160.82 103.57 33.66 7.13 684.89

25 KOLIMIGUNDLA 0.00 3.28 3.76 21.04 46.67 74.26 75.38 124.65 126.41 130.63 30.88 5.15 642.11

26 KOSIGI 2.74 1.28 7.69 10.52 36.60 83.16 102.88 139.16 145.48 95.55 17.94 1.75 644.74

27 KOTHAPALLE 3.87 1.23 12.30 16.67 27.95 109.64 139.94 179.87 166.83 120.71 15.53 1.80 796.35

28 KOWTHALAM 2.83 1.11 7.25 13.29 36.05 75.96 79.95 112.96 128.11 105.92 13.06 4.24 580.73

29 KRISHNAGIRI 0.87 2.16 10.61 13.30 37.95 55.48 79.01 91.01 117.20 91.68 24.47 4.24 527.99

30 KURNOOL 2.08 2.52 12.61 18.29 45.38 98.75 110.72 138.65 137.39 103.26 30.92 4.24 704.79


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31 MADDIKERA EAST 2.01 2.00 6.50 17.81 38.56 63.83 63.58 75.83 108.06 95.96 27.04 2.96 504.14

32 MAHANANDI 0.56 4.33 4.16 14.48 33.53 96.96 171.60 197.25 194.02 132.77 26.18 2.43 878.25

33 MANTRALAYAM 2.27 2.84 11.35 18.67 33.51 87.83 93.44 124.26 125.48 108.23 18.88 1.52 628.30

34 MIDTHUR 2.50 2.93 10.37 23.36 32.43 96.21 129.33 148.64 157.57 111.14 25.64 3.58 743.71

35 NANDAVARAM 1.71 3.97 12.68 17.64 29.76 67.97 85.56 115.72 135.50 109.30 19.60 2.60 602.00

36 NANDI KOTKUR 0.73 3.30 10.03 16.99 39.37 89.53 124.56 140.38 120.66 102.10 25.81 2.91 676.38

37 NANDYAL 3.01 3.23 7.32 14.95 49.79 89.49 153.90 174.51 157.38 111.34 31.00 4.25 800.17

38 ORVAKAL 1.34 4.36 8.59 22.57 35.50 84.63 107.78 121.10 119.28 105.04 24.40 2.68 637.27

39 OWK 1.41 2.00 7.54 15.95 41.73 63.76 82.89 91.16 121.48 101.12 35.46 4.53 569.02

40 PAGIDYALA 3.17 2.80 10.42 16.30 35.17 117.40 141.61 152.23 136.75 94.78 12.64 2.67 725.95

41 PAMULAPADU 2.97 4.59 10.60 25.79 35.53 95.56 126.32 183.29 168.32 110.95 15.13 2.25 781.29

42 PANYAM 3.34 3.67 8.43 14.00 40.43 65.61 102.90 111.03 115.34 111.28 18.17 2.97 597.18

43 PATTIKANDA 1.48 1.48 8.70 19.42 44.37 80.98 78.07 95.77 141.15 106.15 20.65 3.81 602.05

44 PEAPALLY 1.52 1.74 6.06 18.41 48.14 80.06 95.66 105.00 139.40 115.22 25.51 3.42 640.13

45 PEDDA KADALUR 4.20 2.30 8.76 17.66 41.99 75.00 85.03 118.70 121.51 105.01 16.15 5.46 601.75

46 SANJAMALA 1.02 2.23 6.07 19.69 32.24 67.02 94.02 127.76 128.62 114.66 26.76 6.51 626.60

47 SIRVEL 0.66 2.77 10.54 13.28 46.83 102.87 152.58 168.55 152.54 110.96 32.28 4.92 798.77

48 SRISAILAM 2.02 9.94 23.31 35.84 46.40 96.59 123.04 150.12 201.77 134.64 52.77 5.99 882.43

49 TUGGALI 1.91 0.89 5.46 16.44 40.94 94.09 75.33 95.81 125.15 98.64 20.61 2.37 577.65

50 UYYALAWADA 1.38 1.90 5.99 13.01 36.88 72.06 105.33 151.21 155.54 125.11 31.48 4.50 704.41

51 VELDURTHI 1.13 2.32 9.60 13.03 45.83 73.26 87.55 111.94 123.87 101.83 24.90 3.74 599.01

52 VELGODE 1.70 0.74 8.74 18.16 35.24 111.91 156.80 195.40 151.73 114.21 19.54 4.33 818.49

53 YEMMIGANUR 2.22 2.45 10.10 11.55 35.43 71.91 93.39 112.57 134.49 114.99 23.41 4.54 617.04

54 HALAHARVI 0.93 3.74 10.44 14.81 41.10 60.05 53.27 76.75 126.76 110.36 17.10 2.96 518.27

Total 2.08 2.74 9.13 19.99 41.41 85.04 108.21 133.75 144.56 111.24 25.45 3.75 687.35


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1.4 Transport and Communications

Kurnool district has a good road length of 6000km and rail track of 300 km

connecting with rest of the country. The National highway No. 7 that passes

through the district is connecting it with the state of Maharashtra. The district is

located in the west-central part of the state with Kurnool town as its district

headquarters. The Kurnool District which covers an area of 17,267 Sq. Km consists

of 1,576 habitations in 54 mandals. It is observed that 241 habitations are not

having connectivity with BT & CC roads. The total number of PR roads are 2,051

having a spatial length is 6,656 km, of which 1,593 km BT, 167 km CC, 666 km

WBM, 1,658 km Gravel and 2,571 km under Earthen surface. The NH40 are

passing through the district with a length of about 352 km. Figure-5 shows the

spatial distribution of PR roads and connected & unconnected habitations with BT

& CC roads in the district.


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Fig.5 Transport Network of Kurnool District, Andhra Pradesh

1.5 Population and Literacy

Total population of Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh is 4,053,463 as per the

Census 2011. Out of which 2,039,227 are males while 2,014,236 are females. In

2011, there were total 887,652 families residing in Kurnool district. As per Census

2011 out of total population, 28.4% people lives in urban areas while 71.6% lives in

the rural areas. The average literacy rate in urban areas is 72.5% while that in the

rural areas is 54.9%. Also the Sex Ratio of Urban areas in Kurnool district is 1,000

while that of rural areas is 983. The population of Children of age 0-6 years in

Kurnool district is 506239 making for/ standing for 12% of the total population.

There are 261217 male children and 245022 female children between the ages 0-6


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years. Thus as per the Census 2011, the Child Sex Ratio of Kurnool is 938 which is

less than Average Sex Ratio (988) of Kurnool district. As per the Census 2011, out of

the total population of Kurnool, 28.35% people lived in urban regions while 71.65%

in rural areas. The total figure of population of urban population was 1,149,286 out

of which 574,658 were males while remaining 574,628 were females. In rural areas

of Kurnool, male population was 1,464,569 while female population was 1,439,608.

The total literacy rate of Kurnool district was 59.97% in 2011 which is less than

average literacy rate 67.02% of Andhra Pradesh. Population-wise, out of total

2,127,161 literates, males were 1,246,369 while females were 880,792. Also the

male literacy rate was 70.1% and the female literacy rate was 49.78% in Kurnool

district. Schedule Caste (SC) constitutes 18.2% while Schedule Tribe (ST) was 2%

of total population in Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh shown in fig: 6


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Fig: 6 Mandal wise Distribution of Scheduled Caste Population and Types of

Hostels and Residential Schools in Kurnool District, Andhra Pradesh

1.6 Important Places

It is a place that treads the fine line between the contemporary and the old world.

A town of much Historical and religious value, Kurnool appeals as the sole witness

of an era long gone by. Enter a time warp as you take a step into ancient temple

compounds and ruins of the fort that were home to the royals of the medieval

kingdom of Vijaynagar also known as the Gateway to Rayalaseema, Kurnool is a

culturally and historically rich city. There are many interesting places to visit in


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Kurnool, some of which include Mahanandhi, Jagannath Hill, Alampur and

Velgode Reservoir. Situated along the southern banks of the River Tungabhadra,

the town used to serve as a greasing place for carts. Historically known as

Kandenavolu, the town came into prominence under King Achyuta Raya when he

built the Kurnool Fort in 16 CE. Under the British rule, Kurnool was part of the

Madras presidency. Culturally, Kurnool was a confluence of many religions,

including Buddhism, Islam and Jainism. Geographically, the town is blessed with

nature’s bounty! From mammoth mountain ranges, to a river, forests and reservoir,

the place offers a lot to explore. Kurnool holds a place of high reverence for

Hindus, for it houses some of the most sacred of temples in its precincts. Apart

from the religious connotations, these temples are some of the finest examples of

architectural excellence. It is a quaint, little town, a happy world in itself by the mud

banks of Tungabhadra. It is well known and much visited for the ancient Persian

and Arabic inscriptions that enrich its interiors. Kurnool is a complete tourist spot in

itself shown in fig: 7

1.6a Places of Tourist Interest

The following places are of tourist interest in Kurnool district- Gundla

Brahmeswaram Sanctuary, Adoni fort, Hydropower Project on river Krishna at

Srisailam, Madhavaram, Rollapadu Sanctuary and Nagarjuna sagar - Srisailam

Sanctuary.

Belum Caves: Situated 110 km from Kurnool, it is the longest cave system in the

plains of India. These underground caves are located under a flat agricultural field

and have three well-like cavities with the central one being the main entrance. The


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exquisite stalactite and stalagmite formations and the imaginative colour

illumination are the main attractions of the Belum Caves, which were adjudged as

a "Unique Eco Tourism Project" by the Government of India.

Rollapadu Sanctuary: Rollapadu Bird Sanctuary is located in Kurnool district and

extends over an area of 614 sq km. The sanctuary is covered by dry thorny forests

scattered with dry cereal crops, cotton, groundnut and castor. Rollapadu Bird

Sanctuary is home to Black Buck, Bonnet Macaque, Indian Bustard, Indian Roller,

Sparrows and Mynas. Russell's viper, Indian Cobra, Jackal, Wolf and Indian Fox

also can be spotted in the sanctuary. The Bird Sanctuary is about 60 km from

Kurnool and is near Nandikotkur. Best time to visit is October to February. Tourists

can stay at the forest rest house in Kurnool and the inspection bungalow at

Nandikotkur. State transport buses operate from Kurnool and Nandikotkur at

regular intervals to the sanctuary.

Nagarjunasagar Srisailam Sanctuary: The largest of India's Tiger Reserves, the

Nagarjunasagar- Srisailam Sanctuary (3568 sq km.) lies in the state of Andhra

Pradesh. The terrain is rugged and winding gorges slice through the Nallamalai

hills. Adjoining the reserve is the large reservoir of the Nagarjunasagar Dam on the

River Krishna. This dry deciduous forest with scrub and bamboo thickets provide

shelter to a range of animals from the tiger and leopard at the top of the food

chain, to deer, sloth bear, hyena, jungle cat, palm civet, bonnet macaque and

Pangolin. In this unspoiled jungle, the tiger is truly nocturnal and is rarely seen

during the daytime.


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Fig: 7 Important Tourist places map in Kurnool district 1.6b Places of Religious and Cultural importance

Mahanandi: 80 km from Kurnool and 14 km from Nandyal, amid dense forests, is

the noted pilgrimage center of Mahanandi. It is famous for its Mahanandishwara

temple that dates back to the 7th Century. Another attraction is the Pushkarni

temple tank, where the crystal clear waters show up even a tiny pin at the bottom.

Mantralayam : Madhwa Saint, Sri Raghavendra attained his Samadhi at

Mantralayam near Kurnool some 300 years ago. A large number of followers and

devotees of all religious sects throng this little town located on the banks of river

Tungabhadra all through the year. The nearest airport to Mantralayam is


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Hyderabad, at a distance of 351 km. The nearest rail head is 'Mantralayam Road',

on Madras-Raichur route at a distance of 15 km from Mantralayam. A.P. Tourism

conducts a package tour from Hyderabad. Buses are available to Mantralayam

from Kurnool and Hyderabad

Ahobilam: Ahobilam is at a distance of 74 km from Nandyal and 360 km from

Hyderabad. This place is known as Singavelkundram and is dedicated to Lord

Narasimha, the man-lion form of Lord Vishnu, which he took on in order to kill the

demon Hiranyakashyapa. Only at Ahobilam are all the nine forms of Lord

Narasimha i.e. Nava Narasimha worshipped.

As soon as the foot of the hills is reached, there is the temple of Prahaladavarada

Narasimha, the form of Lord Narasimha blessing Prahalada. This temple lies in the

centre of three Prakaras, which are built in Vijayanagara style. About a furlong from

this temple is the Alwar Koneru, a drinking water lake. From the foot of the hills one

has to ascend the hill to reach what is called upper Ahobilam. The hill path is

about 9 km and is cut across virgin hills and forests and is served by several

cascades of exquisite natural beauty.

Yaganti: Sri Yagantiswamy Temple in Banaganapalle mandal of Kurnool district is

a popular Lord Shiva Temple, which is located 17 km away from Banagapalle.

Every year, Shivarathri is celebrated here and a large number of devotees from all

over Andhra Pradesh visit Sri Yagantiswamy Temple. An amazing feature at this

temple is its Pushkarini. No one knows how the water flows out from the bottom of

hill to the Pushkarini in all the seasons. Devotees consider that a bath in the holy


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Pushkarini is highly beneficial before paying tributes to Lord Shiva. Yaganti

Umamaheswara Swamy temple was constructed and completed by the first

Vijayanagara Sangama king, Harihara Bukkarayalu in the 15 th century. It was built

according to Vaishnavaite tradition. Umamaheswara Swamy, Parvati Devi, and

Nandi (Basavanna). According to Potuluri Veera Brahmam, the Basavanna of

Yaganti will come out and shout when Kaliyuga ends. People believe that the

stone Nandiswara (Basavanna) is increasing in its size. Saint Agasthya came to

this place and took a bath in Agasthya Pushkarini and worshipped Lord Shiva. The

water in this Pushkarini is fresh and sweet, as it comes from the hills.

1.6c Places of Economic and Commercial importance

Oravakallu: Oravakallu is a miniature Grand Canyon, 60 km from Kurnool, filled

with water bodies and sandwiched between exotic rock formations. Experience

pure bliss, lazing around and gazing at nature's architecture, untouched by man. A

true adventure site, Oravakallu has everything that makes for a perfect picnic spot

Srisailam: Serene Srisailam, 232 km south of Hyderabad is situated on the banks

of river Krishna. The 512 metre long Srisailam dam located here is an amazing

structure. On the south bank of the Krishna River, in the Nallamalai forest, on a 457

metre high hill is the Bhramaramba Mallikarjunaswamy temple. It is one of the 12

Jyotirlingas, and one among the 18 Mahashakthis in India. It is said that Vrishabha,

the sacred bull of Lord Shiva performed penance here. Lord Shiva appeared

before him, with his consort Goddess Parvati in the form of Mallikarjuna and

Bhramaramba. A massive fort, with 6 metre high walls encloses the temple. A


DMG, GoAP

cluster of minor shrines within the temple enclosure include the Sahasra Linga,

Panchapandava temples and Vata Vriksha. The most appealing feature of this

temple is that anyone of any caste and creed can touch the deity and worship

here. At Sikharam, the highest of the Srisailam hills, is Sikhareswara Swamy

temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, and also a beautiful Sri Ganapathi temple. The

nearest airport to Srisailam is Hyderabad at a distance of 237 km. The nearest

railhead is Nandyal on Guntur-Hubli broad gauge line, at a distance of 158 km. AP

Tourism conducts a package tour from Hyderabad. Srisailam is well connected by

state buses with all important towns in the state.

Rock Garden at Orvakal: These igneous rock formations, spread over

approximately 1000 acres are located on the NH-18 highway road from

Hyderabad to Chittoor, about 20 km from Kurnool city towards Tirupati. At this site,

there is an APTDC run natural “Rock Garden Restaurant” to facilitate highway

tourists.

2. Land Utilization, Forest and Slope in the District

The Land Use / Land Cover (LULC) pattern of any region is an outcome of various

physical and cultural factors, and their utilization by man in time and space. Land

use refers to the type of utilization to which man has put the land. It also refers to

the evaluation of the land with respect to various natural characteristics. But, land

cover describes the vegetal attributes of land. Land use/land cover data is


DMG, GoAP

essential for planners, decision makers and those concerned with land resources

management. For the proper understanding of the influence of the various human-

induced land use practices with regard to the environmental change, it is essential

to help simulate the land use changes. Remote sensing technology is considered

the most effective as it provides timely and authentic information about the spatial

distribution of land use/land cover, while Geographical Information System (GIS)

provides a flexible digital environment for collecting, storing, visualizing and

analyzing the spatial data. Remote sensing as a vital tool helps for rapid

assessment and monitoring of a natural resource. When combined with GIS, it

makes it possible to map land use/cover phenomena in detail for further planning,

development, and decision-making, which is essential for meeting the increasing

demands and welfare of the ever-growing population.

The Land Use/Land Cover (LULC) pattern of any district is a result of different

physical, social variables and their utilization by man in time and space. Land

utilization alludes to the sort of usage to which man has put the land. It additionally

alludes to the assessment of the land as for different normal attributes. Be that as it

may, portrays the vegetal properties of land. Land use/land cover information is

basic for organizers, leaders and those concerned with land resources

management. For the correct comprehension of the impact of the different

human-prompted arrive utilize hones concerning the natural change, it is basic to

help recreate the land utilization changes. Remote detecting innovation is viewed

as best as it gives convenient and valid data about the spatial circulation of land

utilize/arrive cover, while Geographical Information System (GIS) gives an


DMG, GoAP

adaptable advanced condition to gathering, putting away, envisioning and

examining the spatial information. Remote detecting as an indispensable

apparatus helps for fast evaluation and observing of a characteristic asset. At the

point when joined with GIS, it makes it conceivable to delineate Land Use / Land

Cover phenomena in detail for additionally arranging, advancement, and decision-

making, which are essential for meeting the increasing demands and welfare of

the ever-growing population.

2.1 Land Use / Land Cover Classification Various land use/land cover categories have been delineated by using under

level-3 classification. For on-screen digitization, visual image interpretation

techniques (size, shape, colour, tone, texture, association and pattern) have been

used for classifying the land use/land cover map (NRSA, 2006). This information is

used for general planning purposes at district/mandal level. The broad categories

are built-up, agricultural, forest, wastelands, wetlands and water bodies. The

spatial distribution of land use/land cover of the Kurnool district is shown in Fig. 8

and area statistics presented in Table-2.


DMG, GoAP

Fig. 8 Land Use / Land Cover Map of Kurnool District during 2015-16

Table-2 Category-wise Distributions of Land use/Land Cover during 2015-16

S.No Land Use Categories Year 2015-16

Area in sq.km

%


DMG, GoAP

1 Compact (Continuous) 51.72 0.29

2 Sparse (Discontinuous) 18.95 0.11

3 Vegetated / Open Area 2.33 0.01

4 Rural 286.49 1.62

5 Industrial 8.91 0.05

6 Mining - Active 44.89 0.25

7 Quarry 92.25 0.52

Built Up 505.53 2.86

8 Kharif Crop 2845.42 16.11

9 Rabi Crop 4626.30 26.20

10 Zaid Crop 0.78 0.00

11 Cropped in 2 seasons 2715.56 15.38

12 Cropped more in 2 seasons 1.06 0.01

13 Fallow 1269.73 7.19

14 Plantation 17.58 0.10

15 Aquaculture 2.10 0.01

Agricultural Land 11478.52 65.00

16 Deciduous (Dry/Moist/Thorn)-Dense 1388.06 7.86

17 Deciduous (Dry/Moist/Thorn)-Open 895.17 5.07

18 Forest Plantation 11.74 0.07

19 Scrub Forest 701.82 3.97

20 Tree Clad Area-Dense 0.75 0.00

21 Tree Clad Area-Open 0.17 0.00

Forest 2997.73 16.98

22 Salt affected land 371.61 2.10

23 Gullied land 0.00 0.00


DMG, GoAP

24 Ravinous land 30.71 0.17

25 Dense scrub 504.70 2.86

26 Open scrub 328.18 1.86

27 Barren Rocky/Stony waste 703.63 3.98

Wastelands 1938.84 10.98

28 River/Stream-Perennial 27.75 0.16

29 River/Stream-Non Perennial 204.46 1.16

30 Canal/Drain 94.26 0.53

31 Reservoir/Tanks-Permanent 163.88 0.93

32 Reservoir/Tanks-Seasonal 247.15 1.40

Water bodies 737.50 4.18

Grand Total 17658.11 100.00

Built-Up

These are the regions of human habitation that have structures, transport and

correspondence, utilities in relationship with water, vegetation and vacant lands. It

comprises built-up (Compact and Sparse), Vegetated/Open Area, Rural, Industrial

and Mining/Quarry. It involves an area of 505.53 sq. km, which is around 2.86% of

the total geographical area of the region. Of which, rural area contributes 1.62%

which is over half of the developed classification.

Built up - Compact (Continuous)


DMG, GoAP

Most of the land is covered by buildings, roads, and artificially surfaced area and

cover almost all the ground. The built-up - compact class is assigned when the

urban structures and transport network (i.e. impermeable surfaces) occupies more

than 35% of the surface area. This category occupied 51.72 sq. km, which are

found in urban areas.

Built up - Sparse (Discontinuous)

Most of the land is covered by the structures like buildings, roads and artificially

surfaced areas associated with vegetated areas and bare soil, which occupy

discontinuous but significant surfaces. Between 20 and 40 % of the total surface

should be impermeable. Scattered blocks of residential flats, hamlets and small

villages are delineated under this category. It contributes an area of 18.95 sq. km,

which are found in peri-urban areas.

Vegetated / Open Area

These are vegetated areas within urban agglomeration (situated within or in

contact with urban areas). Vegetation cover of trees, shrubs, and herbs covers at

least 0.11% of the total surface area, it has been delineated. Parks, sport and

leisure facilities, camping grounds, sports grounds, leisure parks, golf courses,

race courses, including formal parks etc are considered in this category. This

category occupies an area of 2.33 sq. km.

Built-Up – Rural


DMG, GoAP

These are the lands used for the human settlement of size comparatively less than

the urban settlements of which more than 50% of the people are involved in the

primary activity of agriculture and associated with non-commercial and with allied

classes are identified as built up (rural) category. The rural area contributed is

about 286.49 sq. km.

Industrial

Non-linear impervious surfaces are included in this class which is related to trade,

manufacturing, distribution, and commerce. These are areas where the human

activity is observed in the form of manufacturing along with other supporting

establishments for maintenance. The industrial area occupies 8.91 sq. km, which is

observed in and around towns.

Mining – Active

Mining areas encompass area under surface operations. The recognizable

impacts of these activities on the landscape are unmistakable giant pit mines

covering vast areas. The active mining areas are presently large-scale surface

operations of removal of economically important ores and presently going on. The

active mining area contributes an area of 44.89 sq. km.

Quarry

These are manifestations of surface mining operations wherein small-scale

excavation of land surface for sand, gravel, clay-phosphate mines, limestone

quarries, etc. are taking place. They are mostly characterized by the nearness to

urban areas. It contributes an area of about 92.25 sq.km.


DMG, GoAP

Agricultural Land

The land use category primarily used for the production of food, fibre, and other

commercial and horticultural crops. It includes land under crops namely cropland,

fallow land, agricultural plantation and aquaculture. The agricultural category is

found as the major category covering 11478.52 sq. km (65%) during 2015-16. It is

also found that double-cropped area is about 15% of the district total.

Kharif Crop

Agricultural area cultivated between June/July to September/ October coinciding

with SW monsoon season is considered Kharif crop. It is associated with rain-fed

crops under dryland farming with limited or no irrigation and areas of rain-fed

paddy and other dry crops. Kharif is found to be the second major agricultural

category with an extension of 2845.42 sq. km (16.11%).

Rabi Crop

These areas are cultivated between November/December to February/March. It is

associated with areas under assured irrigation irrespective of the source of

irrigation. However, rabi cropped areas also occur in rain-fed regions, under

residual soil moisture conditions especially in black soil areas with high rainfall

during Kharif season. The extent of rabi cropped area is about 4626.30 sq. km

(26.20 %).

Zaid Crop


DMG, GoAP

These are the areas that are cropped during summer (April to May) which are

mostly associated with irrigated areas with fertile soils, confined to plains/delta

areas. The areas are found in 0.78 sq. km during 2015-16.

Cropped in two seasons

These are the areas that are cropped during two cropping seasons that are often

seen associated with irrigated areas. Three combinations are possible in this

category viz., Kharif + Rabi, Kharif + Zaid and Rabi + Zaid. It is found that this is the

major agricultural category with an extent of 2715 sq. km (15.38%).

Cropped in more than two seasons

These are the areas which are cropped in more than two cropping seasons. It

includes triple cropped areas (Kharif, Rabi and Zaid), areas under multiple

cropping. Long duration crops like sugarcane, cotton, banana, pineapple etc., are

considered under this category. It contributes an area of 1.06 sq. Km.

Fallow land

The agricultural land which is being used for cultivation but is temporarily allowed

to rest or un-cropped for one or more seasons, but not less than a year and for not

more than five years is referred to as fallow land. The fallow land occupies an area

of 1269.73 sq. km. (7.19%).

Agricultural Plantation


DMG, GoAP

These are the areas under agricultural tree crops planted adopting agricultural

management techniques. These also include the areas of land use systems and

practices wherein cultivation of herbs, shrubs, and vegetable crops are

deliberately integrated with agricultural crops mostly in irrigated conditions for

ecological and economic reasons. These areas are separable from cropland,

especially with the data acquired during rabi/zaid season. Plantations appear in

dark-red to red tone of different sizes with regular and sharp edges indicating the

presence of a fence around it. It is found that 17.58% of the land under plantation

crops during 2015-16.

Aquaculture

These are the areas where fish and shrimps are bred and reared for commercial

purposes. Aquaculture ponds are located mostly along the coast or in lakes, river

and estuaries. This category is mostly found along the coast with an area of 2.10

sq. km (0.1%).

Forest

The term forest is used to refer to land with a tree canopy cover of more than 30

percent and area of more than 0.5 ha. Forest is determined both by the presence

of trees and the absence of other predominant land uses within the notified forest

boundaries. The trees should be able to reach a minimum height of 5 m within the

notified forest boundaries. The forest cover occupied about 2997.73 sq. km

(16.98%).

Deciduous (Dry/Moist/Thorn)-Dense


DMG, GoAP

This category is predominantly composed of species, which shed their leaves

once a year, especially during summer. These are mostly broad-leaved tropical

forests with a tendency to shed their leaves annually. This category includes all the

areas where the canopy cover/density is more than 7.86 % and contributed

1388.06 sq. km.

Deciduous (Dry/Moist/Thorn)-Open

This category is predominantly composed of species, which shed their leaves

once a year, especially during summer. These are mostly broad-leaved tropical

forests with a tendency to shed their leaves annually. This category includes all the

forest areas where the canopy cover/density ranges between 10 and 50 percent.

An area of 895.17 sq. km is attributed to this category.

Forest Plantation

These are the areas of tree species of forestry importance, raised and managed

especially in notified forest areas. Most of these are located in uplands, coastal

areas within notified areas. Many of these can be identified based on the sharp

boundary exhibited by them. The distribution of forest plantation is 11.74 sq. km.

Scrub Forest

These are the forest areas which are generally seen at the fringes of dense forest

cover and settlements, where there is biotic and abiotic interference. Most times,

they are located closer to habitations. Forest blanks which are the openings

amidst forest areas, devoid of tree cover, observed as openings of assorted size


DMG, GoAP

and shapes as manifested on the imagery are also included in this category. It is

attributed to an area of 701.82 sq. km (3.97%).

Tree Clad Area-Dense

Areas with tree cover lying outside the notified forest area with a woody perennial

plant with a single, well-defined stem carrying a more-or-less-defined crown and

being at least 3 m tall. Plants essentially herbaceous but with a woody appearance

(e.g. bamboos and ferns) are also classified as trees if the height is more than 5 m

and as shrubs, if the height is less than 5 m. This category includes all the areas

where the canopy cover/density is more than 30%. It occupied an area of 0.75 sq.

km.

Tree Clad Area-Open

Areas with tree cover lying outside the notified forest area with a woody perennial

plant with a single, well-defined stem carrying a more-or-less-defined crown and

being at least 3 m tall. Plants essentially herbaceous but with a woody appearance

(e.g. bamboos and ferns) are also classified as trees if the height is more than 5 m

and as shrubs, if the height is less than 5 m. This category includes all the forest

areas where the canopy cover/density ranges between 10 and 30 percent. It is

attributed to an area of 0.17 sq. km.

Wastelands

Wasteland is described as degraded land which can be brought under vegetative

cover with reasonable effort and which is currently underutilized and land which is

deteriorating for lack of appropriate water and soil management or on account of


DMG, GoAP

natural causes. Wastelands can result from inherent/imposed disabilities such as

by location, environment, chemical and physical properties of the soil or financial

or management constraints. The area under this category is 1938.84 sq. km

(10.98%).

Salt-affected land

These lands are containing an excessive concentration of salts (soluble salts or

exchangeable saline or both). Salinization can result from improper management

of canal irrigation water resulting in the rise of the water table and consequent

accumulation of salts in the root zone in arid, semi-arid and sub-humid (dry)

conditions and ingress of sea water in coastal regions and/or use of high-salt

containing ground water. They also become saline when soils have developed on

salt containing parent materials or have saline ground water. Coastal saline soils

may be with or without ingress or inundation by sea water. These lands are

accounted for 371.61 sq. km only.

Dense scrub Open scrub

This category has a similar description as mentioned in the dense scrub except

that they possess sparse vegetation or devoid of scrub and have a thin soil covers.

The open scrub is found at foothills surrounded by agricultural lands with an

account of 328.18 sq. km.

Barren Rocky/Stony waste


DMG, GoAP

The barren rock exposures are especially confined to hilly terrain with downslope

with rock outcrops, stony waste and fragments. The area under this category is

703.63 sq. km.

Water Bodies

This category comprises areas with surface water, either impounded in the form of

ponds, lakes and reservoirs or flowing as streams, rivers, canals etc. These are

seen clearly on the satellite image in blue to dark blue or cyan color depending on

the depth of water. Waterbody category occupies an area about 737.50 sq. km

with 4.18% of the district.

River/Stream-Perennial

Rivers/streams are the natural course of water flowing on the land surface along a

definite channel/slope regularly or intermittently towards a sea in most cases or a

lake or an inland basin in desert areas or a marsh or another river. The

rivers/streams that flow continuously throughout the year are considered

perennial. It contributes an area of 27.75 sq. km.

River/Stream-Non Perennial

When the water covers the surface for less than nine months in each year, it is

considered non perennial. This also includes the dry part of river generally

characterized by the presence of sand or exposed rocks. It is found that most of

the streams under non perennial category and contributes an area of 204.46 sq.

Km (1.16%).


DMG, GoAP

Canal/Drain

Canals and drains are artificial watercourse constructed for irrigation, navigation or

to drain out excess water from agricultural lands. It is found mostly in coastal

plains with an area of 94.26 sq. km.

Reservoir/Tanks-Permanent

The reservoir is an artificial lake created by the construction of a dam across the

river specifically for hydel power generation, irrigation, and water supply for

domestic/ industrial needs, flood control, either singly or in combination. Tanks are

small lakes of impounded waterways constructed on land surface for irrigation.

They are associated with croplands, low lands and reservoirs surrounded by hills

without vegetation. This includes all reservoirs/tanks with water spread seen at

least during one season in a year is considered under the permanent category.

This category occupies an area of 163.88 sq. km.

Reservoir/Tanks-Seasonal

Dry reservoirs/tanks are those which do not have water spread throughout the

year are considered seasonal. It is found that many of the tanks fall under

seasonal category with an area of 247.15 sq. km.

2.2 Slope Map of the District


DMG, GoAP

Slope data generated from DEM using GIS techniques produces triangular nature

slope polygon. To generate meaningful slope layer, it is suggested to aggregate

slope polygons by using manual procedures. However, the slope generated from

GIS analysis can be used directly for any decision-making planning purpose. The

accuracy of the slope is dependent on accuracy of the DEM used for slope

generation. The DEM should not have spikes or dips which are common in

automatic DEM generation. Therefore, to use Carto DEM, conversion to bare earth

DEM has to be carried out before slope layer generation shown in fig: 9

Fig. 9 General Slope of Kurnool District, Andhra Pradesh

2.3 Forest Cover Distribution


DMG, GoAP

The total forest area in the district is 1802.42 Sq. km. accounting for 10 percent of

total geographical area of the district. The Kurnool forest division extends over the

entire Revenue limits in the district. The major parts of the forest are mainly

confined to the Nallamala including its extensions and Erramalas in the Kurnool

Division. Bamboo, along with timber species, occurs fairly over extensive areas in

the district. The important minor forest produce of the district are Beedi leaves,

Tamarind, Amla, etc., According to the physiographic classifications, the forests of

the district can be divided into (1) the sub mountain forests, (2) forests on the

slopes, (3) plateau forests and (4) hill forests. The forest department has envisaged

certain schemes for development. The schemes, their potentiality of the area and

the quantum of amount required for implementation are being used effectively.

Table: 3 Forest cover distribution of Kurnool district

S. No Forest Category ( 2015 - 16) Area in sq. km. % TGA

1 Deciduous (Dry/Moist/Thorn)-Dense 61.60 0.32

2 Deciduous (Dry/Moist/Thorn)-Open 609.60 3.19

3 Forest Plantation 0.56 0.00

4 Scrub Forest 1120.42 5.86

5 Tree Clad Area-Dense 9.54 0.05

6 Tree Clad Area-Open 0.70 0.00

Total Forest 1802.42 9.42


DMG, GoAP

Fig. 10 Forest covers map of Kurnool District during 2015-16


DMG, GoAP

3. Agricultural Resources in the Kurnool District

Remote sensing technology has been successfully used by APSAC during the last

two decades in the areas of agriculture both in spatial and temporal domain under

various projects. APSAC carried out in-season forecasting of acreage for major

crops i.e. Kharif rice, Rabi rice, cotton, groundnut etc, at state/ district level for the

last two decades in Andhra Pradesh to enable the administrators and planners to

take strategic decisions on import-export policy matters and trade negotiations.

Rice and Cotton are the most dominant crops in Andhra Pradesh. In this

connection, Department of Agriculture and Directorate of Economics & Statistics

are generating data on conventional methods for estimation of crop area and

production. In this regard, satellite remote sensing plays a pivotal role with limited

field visits for timely for estimation and monitoring the crops. 3.1 Agriculture and Soils

Kurnool District is rich in regur and red ferruginous soils which constitute about 60 and 40 per cent, respectively. They are further classified as clay, loamy and sandy soils. The black cotton soils are predominant in the Mandals of Pattikonda, Nandyal, Allagadda, Koilkuntla, Nandikotkur and Adoni. In the Eastern part of the district, red soil of a poor quality largely predominates. These soils, although generally poor in fertility, yield a very good crop with a minimum rainfall. The crops mainly raised are Jowar, cotton and pulses. Regur soil of superior quality is available in the central section together with Kurnool and Pattikonda Mandals. It responds well for paddy and Bengal gram. The availability of alluvial soil is quite small and is confined to a few villages near the confluence of the Bhavanasi and Krishna Rivers. It generally suits for raising mustard, wheat and black gram which are valuable products shown in fig: 11 and 12


DMG, GoAP

Fig: 11 Soil Resource Map of Kurnool District

Fig: 12 Salt Affected Soil Map of Kurnool District

3.2 Kharif Rice Estimation using SAR data


DMG, GoAP

Andhra Pradesh Space Applications Centre (APSAC) has carried out Kharif rice

crop acreage estimation over Kurnool district using Microwave Remote Sensing

(Sentinel-1A) data under FASAL project. Sentinel-1A Synthetic Aperture Radar

(SAR) VV polarization data (Spatial Resolution 20m) is used for the analysis. The

rice acreage using sentinel-1 microwave remote sensing data for Kurnool district

was estimated as 49,853 ha.

(a) (b) (c) Fig: 13 (a) Ground truth data overlaid on multi-temporal RGB image, (b) Rice cropped area and (c) Transplantation date-wise rice cropped area over Kurnool District.

3.3 Kharif and Rabi crop acreage Estimation using Optical Remote sensing data: Remote sensing technology has been successfully used by APSAC during the last

two decades in the areas of agriculture both in spatial and temporal domain under

various projects. APSAC carried out in-season forecasting of acreage for major

crops i.e. Kharif rice, Rabi rice, cotton, groundnut etc, at state/ district level for the

last two decades in Andhra Pradesh to enable the administrators and planners to


DMG, GoAP

take strategic decisions on import-export policy matters and trade negotiations.

Rice is the most dominant crop in Andhra Pradesh in both Kharif (July- October

/November) Rabi (November- April) seasons which grows in irrigated and

rain-fed areas and other major crops are Groundnut, Cotton, Maize, Pulses,

Sugarcane, Jowar, Chillies, etc. In this connection, Department of Agriculture and

Directorate of Economics and Statistics are generating data on conventional

methods for estimation of crop area and production. In this regard, satellite

remote sensing plays a pivotal role with limited field visits for timely for estimation

and monitoring the crops.

Fig: 14 Cotton Cropped area estimation in Kharif 2016-17

Table: 4 Cotton Crop acreage estimation in Kharif 2016-17


DMG, GoAP

SNo. District Cotton crop acreage (ha.) using optical

RS data

1 Kurnool 154238

Fig: 15 Bengalgram crop acreage estimation Rabi 2016-17

Table: 5 Bengalgram crop acreage estimation

SNo. District Bengal gram crop acreage (ha.) using optical RS data

1 Kurnool 195706

3.4. Horticulture of Kurnool District


DMG, GoAP

Fruits and vegetables account for nearly 90% of total horticulture production in the

country. India is now the second largest producer of fruits and vegetables in the

world and is the leader in several horticultural crops, namely mango, banana,

papaya, cashew-nuts, areca nut, potato and okra. However the nature of

horticulture crops being such it’s not easy to make assessment of their production.

These crops, especially vegetables are grown in small plots, fields or in the

backyards of the houses and do not have single harvesting in most of the cases

which makes their assessment difficult. Many horticulture crops have multiple

pickings in a single season. Similarly many fruit trees are scattered, which do not

count for assessment. High quality of products in some of the horticulture crops

like ber, date palm, pomegranate, chillies, cumin, isabgol, curcubits and superior

quality products can be obtained in arid region. There is tremendous scope for

developing high value products from the indigenous produce such as capparis,

cucumis and from the other commercial arid horticulture crops. As a result of

research for the last two decades, considerable knowledge in arid horticulture has

been accumulated. Some of the horticulture crops (e.g. ber, aonla and bael) have

been identified which can be grown easily on a wide area of arid climatic

conditions. These crops will form an important component along with the

component crops of new and efficient cropping system in the arid regions.

In the arid zone, the population is scarce and scattered. The communication and

transportation system was poor in past time. But modern information technologies

and transportation means and methods offer good scope for the development of

arid horticulture. The modern communication/information and transport facilities


DMG, GoAP

will help in disseminating the modern technologies of arid horticulture to the

farmers and collecting the technical information from different parts of the country

as well as arid zone horticulture of the world. Thus, modern communication and

transportation facilities encourage and widen the future scope of arid horticulture.

The arid horticulture is a new area of the horticulture development and it has a

great potential for the future development. In last two decades, considerable

knowledge has been accumulated in the field of arid horticulture and it has

already assumed a great importance for the development of the vast drought

prone and arid zone agriculture of India. Arid horticulture has a great and wide

scope in future in developing unproductive soil into productive soil of the arid

zone. It provides tremendous opportunities for employment and income

generation to the poor people of arid regions and reducing soil erosion and aridity.

Area statistics in hectares and production in metric tonnes of six types of

horticultural species/ categories are collected for Kurnool District from the

Department of Horticulture, Govt. of Andhra Pradesh for 2017-2018. They are fresh

fruits, vegetables, plantations, spices, flowers, and medicinal & aromatic plants

and the information is presented in Tables 6-10. In each Table, the breakup of

each horticultural variety is given in terms of aerial extent (ha) and production

(MT).

Table: 6 Aerial Extent (Ha) of Fresh Fruits with Production (MT) in Kurnool District (2017-18)

S.No Name of The Fresh Fruit Statistics

1 Amla Area 0 Production 0


DMG, GoAP

2 Banana Area 3370 Production 185350 3 Ber Area 53 Production 981 3 Lemon (Lime & Other Citrus Fruits) Area 510 Production 8160 4 Orange & Batavia Area 1952

Production 50448 5 Custered Apple Area 0

Production 0 6 Grapes Area 0 Production 0 7 Guava Area 414 Production 15732 8 Jack Fruit Area 0 Production 0 9 Mango Area 8269 Production 115762

10 Papaya Area 421 Production 41468.5

11 Pineapple Area 0 Production 0

12 Pomegranate Area 352 Production 5632

13 Sapota Area 308 Production 4192

14 Muskmelon Area 72 Production 2421.36

15 Watermelon Area 129 Production 3880.32

16 Other Fruits Area 0 Production 0 Total Fresh Fruits Area 15849.705 Production 434026.43


DMG, GoAP

From the Table-6, it is observed that there are twelve types of fresh fruits available

in Kurnool District. The total aerial extent of fresh fruits cultivated in Kurnool District

is 15849.705 ha with a production of 434026.43 metric tonnes. Among all the fresh

fruit varieties, Mango has the maximum aerial extent of 8269 ha with a production

of 115762 MT followed by Banana with an aerial extent of 3370 ha with a

production of 185350 MT.

Table:7 Aerial Extent (Ha) of Vegetables with Production (MT) in Kurnool District (2017-18)

S.No Name of The Vegetables Statistics 1 Beans Area 5304 Production 83272.8 2 Bitter Guard Area 654 Production 11772 3 Bottle Gourd Area 55 Production 1155 4 Brinjal Area 1296 Production 38491 5 Cabbage & Knol-Khol Area 148 Production 2812 6 Capsicum Area 15 Production 495 7 Carrot Area 1106 Production 22120 8 Cauliflower Area 143 Production 2145 9 Cucumber Area 360 Production 9000

10 Chillies Green Area 4159 Production 116452

11 Garlic Area 0 Production 0

12 Elephant Foot Yam Area 0


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Production 0 13 Bhendi Area 3720 Production 63240

14 Onion Area 32502 Production 795002

15 Parwal / Ponted Gourd Area 0 Production 0

16 Peas Area 0 Production 0

17 Potato Area 58 Production 986

18 Radish Area 63 Production 1134

19 Pumpkin Area 0 Production 0

20 Sweet Potato Area 0 Production 0

21 Tapioca Area 0 Production 0

22 Tomato Area 5012 Production 895588

23 Other Vegetables Area 3140 Production 75360 Total Vegetables Area 57735

Production 2119025 From the Table-7, it is observed that 26 varieties of plantations are grown in

Kurnool District. The total aerial extent of plantations cultivated in Kurnool District is

57735 ha with a production of 2119025 metric tonnes. Among all the plantation

varieties, Onion has the maximum aerial extent of 32502 ha with a production of

795002 MT followed by Beans with an aerial extent of 5304 ha with a production of

83272 MT.


DMG, GoAP

Table:8 Aerial Extent (Ha) of Spices with Production (MT) in Kurnool District (2017-18)

S.No Name of The Spices Statistics 1 Ajwan Area 6137 Production 6137 2 Betelvine Area 0 Production 0 3 Pepper Area 0 Production 0 4 Chillies (Dried) Area 25153 Production 155668.9 5 Coriander Area 1825 Production 3650 6 Ginger Area 15 Production 135 7 Tamarind Area 0 Production 0 8 Turmeric Area 1684 Production 18524 9 Others Spices Area 0 Production 0 Total (Spices) Area 34814 Production 184114.9

From the Table-8, it is observed that 5 varieties of spices are grown in Kurnool

District. The total aerial extent of spices cultivated in Kurnool District is 34814 ha

with a production of 184114.9 metric tonnes. Among all the varieties of spices,

Chillies (Dried) has the maximum aerial extent of 25153 ha with a production of

155668 MT followed by Ajwan with an aerial extent of 6137 ha with a production of

6137 MT.

Table:9 Aerial Extent (Ha) of Flowers with Production (MT) in Kurnool District (2017-18)


DMG, GoAP

S.No Name of The Flowers Statistics 1 Chrysanthemum Area 316 Production 6320 2 Jasmine Area 540 Production 3402 3 Marigold Area 580 Production 6380 4 Rose (Lakhs. Of Flowers) Area 0 Production 0 5 Tuberose Area Production 0 6 Crossandra Area 658 Production 2171 7 Other Flowers Area 0 Production 0 8 Total Flowers Area 2094 Production 18273.4

From the Table-9, it is observed that 07 varieties of flowers grown are in Kurnool

District. The total aerial extent of flowers cultivated in Kurnool District is 2094 ha

with a production of 18273 metric tonnes. Among all the flower varieties,

Crossandra has the maximum aerial extent of 658 ha with a production of 2171 MT

followed by Jasmine with an aerial extent of 540 ha with a production of 3402 MT

Table:10 Aerial Extent (Ha) of Medicinal & Aromatic Plants with

Production (MT) in Kurnool District (2017-18) S.No Name of The Medicinal & Aromatic Plants Statistics

1 Cholorophytum Area 0 Production 0 2 Palma Rosa Area 0 Production 0 3 Annota Area 0 Production 0


DMG, GoAP

4 Lemon Grass Area 0 Production 0 5 Coleus Area 0 Production 0 6 Ashwagandha Area 2329 Production 1165 7 Citronella Area 0 Production 0 8 Other Medicinal Plants Area 0 Production 0 Total Medicinal & Aromatic Plants Area 2329

Production 1165

From the Table-10, it is observed that one variety of Medicinal & Aromatic Plant is

in Kurnool District. The total aerial extent of Medicinal & Aromatic Plant cultivated

in Kurnool District is 2329 ha with a production of 1165 metric tonnes.

4. Water and Irrigation Resources of the District

4.1 River basin in Kurnool district The important rivers of the district are in Tungabhadra, its tributary the

Handri, the Krishna, the Kunderu and the Gundlakamma

Tungabhadra: It rises in the Western ghats and forms the boundary between

Kurnool district and the Doab. The river forms part of northern boundary of this

district and separates Kurnool from the Telangana area. It falls into the

Krishna at Kudali Sangam about 29 kilometres from Kurnool.


DMG, GoAP

Handri : The Handri is a tributary of the Tungabhadra. It flows through the taluk of

Pattikonda. During its onward course, it receives a stream from the Erramallas and

falls into the Tungabhadra at Kurnool.

Krishna: This River raises in the Mahabaleswara hills of Sattar District of

Maharashtra State and enters Andhra Pradesh in Makthal taluk of Mahabubnagar

District. The Krishna enters Kurnool District at Kudali Sangam from where it forms

the Northern boundary of the district

Kunderu: This river rises on the Western side of the Erramalais taking a northerly

course for a short distance passes into the Kunieru valley and flows in the

Southern direction, collecting drainage all along its course from either side flows

through Nandikotkur, Nandyala, Allagadda and Koilkuntla taluks and finally falls

into the Pennar near Kamalapuram in Cuddapah district.

Gundlakamma: The River takes its origin from the Nallamalai hills near

Gundlabrahmeswaram, and enters Prakasam district through Cumbum.


DMG, GoAP

Fig. 16 Drainage and Basins Kurnool District

4.2 Major and Medium Irrigation Projects in Nellore district

Irrigation has assumed an increasing significance in agriculture in the context of

new technology, where high yielding varieties and multiple cropping is being

practiced. The main reasons for low yields are inadequate rainfall, uneven and

uncertain rains during the period of crop growth. It is generally found that the

introduction of irrigation is associated with changes in the cropping pattern. The

shift from traditional cropping pattern to the most advantageous cropping pattern

is possible only in the presence of irrigation facilities. The new agricultural

technology is highly based on sufficient moisture conditions. Thus, the


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development of irrigation is crucial for increasing agricultural production. The

irrigation projects are classified as major, medium and minor irrigation projects.

4.2.1 Major Irrigation Project

The major irrigation projects covering Kurnool district are Kurnool - Kadapa Canal

(K.C.Canal), Tunghabhadra Low Level Canal (TBP LLC), Aluru Branch Canal

(Tunghabhadra Project High Level Canal) and Rajolibanda Diversion Scheme

(Part). In Kurnool - Kadapa Canal (K.C.Canal) an extant of 1,73,627 acres,

Tunghabhadra Low Level Canal (TBP LLC) an extant of 1,51,134 acres, Aluru

Branch Canal (Tunghabhadra Project High Level Canal) an extant of 14,754 acres

and in Rajolibanda Diversion Scheme (Part) an extant of 9,204 acres are covered

and they fall under sixteen assembly constituents. The mandals covered are

Allagadda, Banaganapalle, Kodumur, Kurnool, Nandikotkur, Nandyal, Panyam,

Srisailam, Adoni, Alur, Mantralayam and Yemmiganur. The overall coverage under

major irrigation project is 3, 48,719 acres. The major ongoing irrigation projects are

NTR Telugu Ganga Project (TGP), Srisailam Right Bank Canal (SRBC), Ananta

Venkata Reddy Hundri Niva Sujala Sravanthi (HNSS) and Guru Raghavendra

Project (GRP) New ayacut (Stabilisation of ayacut), Under this ongoing projects

about 3,45,722 acres are covered that fall under eighteen assembly

constituencies. The mandals covered are Allagadda, Nandikotkur, Nandyal,

Srisailam, Banaganapalle, Panyam, Alur, Kodumur, Pattikonda, Mantralayam and

Yemmiganur.

4.2.2 Medium Irrigation Project


DMG, GoAP

The Medium Irrigation projects are Sanjeevaiah Sagar Project (Gajuladinne

Project), Varadaraja Swamy Gudi Project (VRSP) and Zurreru Project. These

medium irrigation projects fall under seven assembly segments with an ayacut of

42,851 acres. The assembly segments covered are Alur, Kodumur, Pattikonda,

Yemmiganur Nandikotkur , Srisailam and Banaganapalle.

Fig. 17 Major and Medium Irrigation Projects of Kurnool District

Table: 11 Drainage System with Description of main rivers

S.No Name of the River Area Drained (Sq.KM) % of Area Drained in

the District


DMG, GoAP

1 Krishna 9757 55.38

2 Penna 7859 44.61

Table: 12 Salient Features of Important Rivers and Streams

S.No Name of the

River or Stream

Total Length in the

District (in Kms)

Place of Origin Altitude at

Origin

1 Krishna 107.66 Mahabaleswaram, Maharastra 1353 m 2 Penneru/

Kunderu 113.96 Vempenta, Andhra Pradesh 250 m

3 Tungabadra 137.19 Kundremuck, Karnataka 1458 m 4 Handri 136.02 Aspari/ Aluru, Andhra Pradesh 30 m

4.3 Tank Information System

Andhra Pradesh Space Application centre developed a Web Portal GIS for Tank Information System (TIS) in Andhra Pradesh. In the said web portal, minor irrigation tanks are classified as more than 40 ha, 10 to 40 ha and less than 10 ha command. Information related to nearly 15,000 tanks in Andhra Pradesh has been published in APSAC website and information pertaining to 133 tanks of Kurnool district has been published so far in the website (http://apsac.ap.gov.in:8090/tis). In that information, all are > 40 ha categories. The tank-wise information is presented with location details, hydrological details and other standard information related to the tank. 4.4 Ground Water Scenario and Quality of the District

4.4.1 Geomorphology of the District

http://apsac.ap.gov.in:8090/tis


DMG, GoAP

Ground water occurs in all the geological formations in Kurnool district and the

hydrological condition in the district are presented in fig.18. The quality of

groundwater varies from place to place depending on the geological environment,

climate, drainage conditions and pollution. The groundwater in the western part

of the district, where Archaean unclassified crystalline rocks are exposed, is

generally neutral to alkaline with its value of pH ranging from 7.00 to 8.5. The

chloride content here ranges from 28 to 525 ppm. The quality of groundwater in

Cuddapah and Kurnool Formations is generally inferior in the central and eastern

part of the district. The total dissolved solids in many places exceed 1000 ppm.

Water is generally alkaline in nature with pH from 7.3 to 8.4. The chloride content

ranges from 40 to 230 ppm. Saline zones exist in parts of Nandyal and Allagadda

taluks where chloride content is more than 500 ppm. The district has been

demarcated into several zones in respect of the availability of groundwater

resources. Pattikonda and Devanakonda areas in the gneissic terrain, and

Nandivargam and Uyyalavada in the sedimentary terrain are excellent in terms of

groundwater yield potential (1-10lps). Kosigi Nandavaram Emmiganuru Kurnool,

Velugodu , Nandyal and Allagadda areas are also good locations of moderate

groundwater potential (1-5lps).


DMG, GoAP

Fig.18 Geomorphology of Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh

4.4.1a Landforms of Crystalline aquifers:

The crystalline rocks develop secondary porosity through fracturing and

subsequent weathering over ages and become water bearing. Movement of

ground water is controlled by degree of inter-connection of secondary porosity

and voids. The depth of weathered zone ranges from few centimetres to 18 m bgl.

Ground water occurs under unconfined conditions in shallow weathered zones

and under semi-confined conditions in joints, fissures and fractures. Occurrence of

joints and fissures extends down to depth ranging from 20 to 100 m bgl. The

shallow aquifers are developed through large diameter irrigation wells and


DMG, GoAP

domestic wells. The depth of irrigation wells ranges from 4 to 26m bgl. Irrigation

wells sustain pumping of 2 to 4 hrs/ day during summer.

4.4.1b Consolidated Sedimentary Formation:

Ground water occurs in the aquifers of Kurnool formations in Panyam Quartzites

under unconfined and semi- confined conditions in weathered zone, sheared

zones, joint planes and bedding contacts. The depth of dug wells varies from 7-13

m bgl., with extension bores down to a maximum depth of 15 m. The yield of wells

ranges from 30 to 100 cu.m/day. In Koilkuntla limestone, ground water occurs

under unconfined conditions in the top weathered zones and karstified horizons.

Ground water occurs under unconfined condition in Nandyal shales down to a

limited depth of 30 m bgl. The thickness alluvial aquifers varies from less <1 to

8.0m and depth to water ranges between 1.0 and 5.3 m bgl

4.5 Ground Water Prospects in the District Kadapa/Kurnool developments comprise the most part shales, quartzites,

limestones/dolomites. Ground water happens in submerged table conditions in

weathered segment of the arrangement and the thickness of the weathered

portion is around 10 m bgl. Ground water is developed in weathered elixir through

vast distance across burrowed wells (6m). The water levels were brought down

and the yields from burrowed wells diminished and once in a while went away in

the dry spell years


DMG, GoAP

Fig.19 Ground Water Scenario in Kurnool District, Andhra Pradesh

4.6 Ground Water Level Scenario

The depth to water levels range from 2.20 to 12.67 m bgl during May, 2012.

Deeper water levels of more than 10 m bgl are observed as scattered patches in

the district. However, water levels between 0-5 are observed in the central and


DMG, GoAP

southern parts of the district. The depth to water level during pre-monsoon (May

2012) is presented in Fig. 20.

Fig. 20 Depth to Water Level Pre-Monsoon (May, 2012)

The depth to water levels ranges from 0.47 to 22.0 m bgl during post-monsoon

(Nov.2011). The shallow water levels of less than 2 m are observed in north east

and south east part of the district during post monsoon period. The area with

water levels of 5 to 10 m bgl range in pre-monsoon period has come up to 2-5 m

in post monsoon period. The depth to water levels of 5 to 10 m was observed in

the western part of the district and in isolated patches. The depth water level

scenario during post-monsoon is presented in Fig.21


DMG, GoAP

Fig. 21 Depth to Water Level Post- Monsoon (Nov, 2012)

4.7 Ground Water Resources

Based on the Ground Water Estimation Committee (GEC-97) recommendations,

ground water assessment was done for the year 2008- 2009. Ground water

resource available in the district is 37024 Ham in command area and 33849 Ham

in non-command area. Ground water utilization is 19799 and 21386 Ham in

command and non-command areas, respectively. The available balance ground

water resource for future use is 37024 Ham in command area and 33849 Ham in

non-command area. Thus, the total resource available in the district for future

use is 70873 Ham. Over all, the district falls under safe category with a stage of

development at 34%. The stage of development in command area is 33% and in


DMG, GoAP

non-command area it is 35%, showing both command and non-command areas

falling in safe category. Based on the stage of development, all the 54 mandals

are categorized as safe. The Mandal-wise categorisation in Kurnool district is

shown in the Fig-8. The minimum stage of development of 2% is seen in

Srisailam mandal. The maximum stage of development is in Betamcherla-81%

and Oravakal 72%.

4.8 Ground Water Quality of the District The ground water in the district is in general suitable for both domestic and

irrigation purposes. The electrical conductivity ranges from 565 to 4343 micro

Siemens/cm at 25 C. The distribution of the EC is shown in the Fig.22. It is

observed that EC values are more than 3000 micro Siemens/cm at 25 C in the

western part of the district. Out of the 918 villages of the district, 72 villages are

facing poor quality problem in ground water

The District consists of two distinct physiographic provinces viz., the undulating

gneissic terrain with low denudational hills in the west and a sedimentary terrain

with structural plateaus and homoclinical ridges and valleys in the east. . The

District is underlain by varied geological formations ranging from Archaean to

Recent age. Nearly 40% of the District is underlain by hard rocks belonging to the

Peninsular gneissic complex, Dharwar of Archaean to lower Proterozoic age, 40%

meta sediments of Kurnool group and 20% of meta sediments of Cuddapah super

group belonging to Middle to Upper Proterozoic age. Archaean, Cuddapah,


DMG, GoAP

Kurnool are categorized as hard rocks from ground water point of view. The soils

are mainly mixed red and black soils, red sandy soils and deep black soils.

Ground water samples were collected from 564 habitations out of 1573

habitations representing for two seasons i.e., post monsoon and pre monsoon in

December 2012 and June 2014 for the entire District. The water samples were

collected from Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Department (RWS & S) and

analyzed for physico-chemical parameters like TDS, TH, Cl, NO3, pH, F, Fe, TA and

SO4 using standard techniques in the laboratory and compared with the BIS

(10500-2015), in terms of desirable, permissible and non potable classes. Blue,

yellow and red colours indicate pre monsoon quality and +, - , Symbols indicate

post monsoon quality for desirable, permissible and non-potable classes,

respectively.

From the analysis, it has been observed that the ground water is polluted in pre

monsoon and post monsoon. About 25% of the area is under non potable

category due to high concentration of Nitrate, Fluoride and Iron. About 45% of the

area is in potable category and the remaining 30% of the area is covered in hills

and water bodies of the entire District. The occurrence and movement of ground

water in an area are governed by several factors such as topography, lithology,

and geological structure, depth of weathering, extent of factures, drainage pattern,

and climate conditions and interrelationship between these factors.


DMG, GoAP

Fig. 22 Ground Water Quality Map of Kurnool District

4.9 Status of Ground Water Development

Half of the total irrigated area and most of the domestic needs of the district

depend on ground water. There are about 53,375 ground water structures, which

support the irrigation in the district. To meet the domestic water needs of the 918

villages, 12486 hand pumps and 580 seasonal bore wells and 1096 piped water

supply schemes through bore wells schemes are constructed. The wells have 1-2

m of water column and sustain pumping by 5 HP motors for 2 to 5 hrs. The yield of

wells varies from 40-150 cu.m/day during post-monsoon period. The fractured

aquifers are tapped by bore wells of 100 to 159 m deep. In general, the discharge

of bore wells varies from1 to 18 cu.m per day for a drawdown of 4 to 10 m.


DMG, GoAP

Fig: 23 Piezometer Observation wells in Kurnool District


DMG, GoAP

5. Geology and Mineral Resources of the Kurnool District

5.1 Geology of Kurnool District

The important feature of the geology of the area is the large ENE-WSW trending,

easterly plunging, asymmetric GaniKalava anticline. The vempalle Dolomite and

the Tadpatri Shale form an in lier, exposed mainly in the core of the anticline and

along parts of the northern limb. The Tadpatri shale hosts sporadic copper

mineralization. The Banganapalle Sandstone and Limestone and the Panem

Quartzite are exposed along both the limbs and in the fold closure to the east. The

Kalava fault, which is a long ENE-WSW trending fault, runs along the northern limb

of the fold. To the south of this fault but having the same trend there is another

fault called the Chenakapalle fault. The northern limb of the anticline is steep, with

dips ranging from 30°/N to nearly vertical, while the southern limb has gentler dips

(20°/S). The dip at the fold closure is 15°/E. The area of the Kalava fault is

underlain by the Kundair Formation. However due to thick soil cover, it is not

exposed immediately north of the fault. The only exposures of this Formation are

seen in a few well sections and stream cuttings near the village Gani.


DMG, GoAP

Fig.24 Geology of Kurnool District, Andhra Pradesh


DMG, GoAP


DMG, GoAP

Fig.25 Detailed Legend with Stratigraphic Sequence of Kurnool District

5.2 Mineral Resources of Kurnool District

Kurnool district is well known for its mineral resources especially for limestone

deposits. Lime stones of this district are of flagstones, cement grade limestone

used by M/s Panyam Cements and Mineral Industries near Bugganipalli and high

calcium limestone used and other industries near Dhone. Narji limestone is found

in Dhone, In Kurnool, Nandikotkur, Koilakunta and in several areas of the district.

The Narji lime stones contain both the massive and flaggy limestone. The massive

deposits are used in cement manufacture while the flags are quarried as building

material. Major outcrops of Narji limestones are found at Sathanikota,

Bukkapuram and Bethemcherla Athanikota: South of Sathanikota on the bank of Thungabhadra in Nandikotkur

calcareous flags and fine grained limestones are recognisable are somewhat

massive, light to ash grey in colour.

Bukkapuram: Lime stones are seen along a ridge near Jukkapuram. The limestone

in this area are of three types consisting of light grey brown or pink colure,

splintery limestone at the bottom, massive thick bedded light to dark bluish or ash

grey lime stones in the middle and dark grey calcareous flags at the top.

Bethamcherla: Narji limestone in this area is composed of bands of varying

thickness, differing in physical and chemical characters. Seven different bands of

cement grade have been recognised based on their colour and other physical

characters. M/s.Panyam Cements & Mineral Industries are mining these


DMG, GoAP

limestones for their cement plant at Cement Nagar. Some of the bands are

actually exploited for building purposes near Bethamcherla.

Koilakuntla: Koilakuntla limestones are mostly light grey calcareous flags, and

massive grey. These are seen at the out crop along the course of Kunderu River.

They are found at Appalapuram, Varukur near Kurnool, at Nagaluti and

Nandikotkur and southern parts of Sirvel. The Koilkuntla are quarried extensively at

places like Vijayawada & Joladursi etc., for use as building stones (slabs).

Varakur Area: Koilakuntla limestones overlying the pinnacle quartzite are seen to

the north and east of Varakur. The limestones are nearly horizontal and are flaggy.

These limestones are being quarried extensively for use as slabs.

Nagaluti Area: The limestones of this area are a continuation of those at Varakur

and are grey and flaggy. The limestones at base are thick bedded slaby and

splintary. They are overlain by the calcareous flags.

Ankireddypalli Area: The G.S.I. conducted detailed investigations by drilling in Narji

limestones near Ankireddypalli. The investigations revealed the occurrences of

both flux grade and cement grade limestones in this area. The total reserves of flux

grade limestone in this area are of the order 47 million tonnes of measured

category and 25 million tonnes of indicated category over an area of 4.68 sq.Km

6. Details of Major and Minor Minerals & Their Production


DMG, GoAP

6.1 Mineral Resource of Kurnool District

Kurnool district possesses enormous deposits of limestone suitable for

cement manufacture. It abounds in building stones of considerable variety.

There are smaller deposits of iron ore, barites, slate, steatite saline, efflorescence

and quartz. The magnetite, manganese, gold and asbestos occurrences in the

district are only of academic interest at present. There are several occurrences of

minerals which are copper, lead and zinc in the district, which await detailed

exploration. Diamonds occur in the Banaganapalli, conglomerate and aluminium

at some places. Extensive deposits of lime are in koilakuntla, Banagapalli, Dhone,

Kurnool and Nandikotkur areas, barites in Allagadda and Nandyal.

6.2 Details of Mineral Resources of Kurnool District

HIGH CALCIUM LIMESTONE: High grade tuffaceous limestones are found at

various places in Kurnool District. Calctufa is best developed in Vempalli and Narji

horizons close to perennial water courses. The tuffaceous limestones are white to

dirty white in colour. It is hard and porous. Large deposits of calctufa are found

near Madhavaram, Itikyala and Ramabadrapalli in Koilkuimtla area, Palkur,

Ramathirtham, Nandavaram in Bugganipalli area and Bhogeswaram in Nandyala

area. The deposits of dhone sector are the richest in terms of quality.

Buff to light coloured high grade limestones occur near Malkapuram railway

station. These are hard massive very rich in calcium content and believed to have

been formed as a result of contact effect of dolomites with dolerite sills in Vempalli

formation. These limestones are being supplied to calcium carbide plant area


DMG, GoAP

Hagari and to other paper and chemical industries in the state and outside the

state. There are 56 mining leases of which 52 are working. The G.S.I investigated

these areas for similar occurrences, as this type of limestone is in great demand.

They could indicate two or three probable horizons in Vempalli dolomite in Dhone

sector with a probable reserve of 5 to 6 million tonnes.

IRON ORE: Iron Ore occurs as fault fillings in association with cherts and

Quartzites at Veldurthy, Kalugotla, Ramallakota, Sarparajapuram and Emboy. The

ore is hematite with an average grade of about 55 % to 58% of Fe content. Visual

estimation of reserves of Iron Ore is around 4.5 million tonnes. There are 28 mining

leases in the District. Presently the ore is being supplied to Cement Plants and

Steel Plants near Hyderabad.

CLAYS: These are the products of alteration of shales and occur also as beds in

association with yellow ochre in Kurnool formation in Bethamcherla, Ambapuram,

Ramallakota, Gadivemula, Gani, Palkur, Nandavaram, Chinna Malkapurm,

Kommemarri, Jaladurgam R.F, Peapully of Dhone and Nandyal areas. The total

reserves are around 11 million tonnes. There are 18 mining leases (White Shale &

White Clay).

STEATITE: Steatite occurs as bands, lenses and laminations in association with

serpentinised dolomitic zones within the Vempalli formation. High Grade Steatite

occurs at Venkatagiri, Pendekal, L.Banda R.F & Rangapuram and inferior grade

Steatite occurs in Dhone, Veldurthy, Kolumulapalli, Balapalapalli, Bodduvanipalli

Sector and are being used in manufacture of insecticides and pesticides.


DMG, GoAP

OCHRES: Ochre are alteration products of ferruginous calcareous shales and

sandstones. Ochre occurs at Bethamcherla, Ganikalva, Veldurthy, Ramallakota,

Ambapuram, Nereducherla, Diguvapadu, Loddipalli and Uyyalawada. There are 10

mining leases of which 9 are working.

ASBESTOS: Asbestos is occurs at the contact between dolomitic limestones and

sills at Malkapuram and Chinna Malkapuram in Dhone sector. Investigations have

not shown economic viability of the deposits.

DIAMONDS: Diamond occurrences are reported from Banaganapalli,

Munimadugu, Ramallakota, Emboy and Thammarajupalli in Banaganapalli and

Dhone areas. The GSI, NMDC and DMG have carried out exploration near

Munimadugu and Allahbad. Even now diamonds are picked up manually after

rains at the localities close to the conglomerate out crops. The M/s De Beers

Limited has, after completion of Reconnaissance Operations, filed 14 Prospecting

Licence applications for Diamond and other precious minerals in Bethamcherla,

Orvakal, Dhone, Peapully, Banaganapalli, Adoni, Tuggali, Pathikonda, Aluru, Aspari,

Gonegandla, Yemmiganur etc., and some are under process.

GOLD: There are old workings for gold in hornblende schist and amphibolite at

Jonnagiri, Pathikonda of Kurnool District. M/s Geomysore Services India Pvt.,

Limited has filed mining lease application for gold and other precious minerals


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over an extent of 600 Hectares and recommending the same for grant submitted

to the Director of Mines & Geology, Hyderabad.

COPPER: Copper occurs near Gani, Bastipadu, Jonnagiri, Kommamarri and

Somayajulapalli Villages. The GSI, NGRI and the DMG have conducted

investigation near Gani. Drilling was also conducted on the suggestion made by

NGRI. A reserve of 1.29 million of copper ore with 1.37 % Cu over a strike length of

1,100 meters and up to a depth of 300 meters was proved in Gani area.

BARYTES: In the Kurnool District, Barytes mineralization in the form of veins is

confined to the upper horizon of Vempalli formation comprising Dolomite,

limestones, chert bands and chert breccia. Near Gargeyapuram barytes

mineralization is associated with chert and chertified stromatolites. It can also be

seen with certified algal structure. The thickness of barytes veins has been noticed

to vary from 3 to 3.5 meters. The Barytes mineralization occurring as vein along the

fissures or joint planes within the trap rock is mostly of pure white to off – white

colour as compared to the occurrences noticed within the limestone and

quarzites. Barytes available at Gutupalli, Peddapaya, Nallamekalapalli,

Chandrapalli, Hussainapuram, Rangapuram, Malkapuram, Kamalapuram,

Boyanapalli, Valasala, Gargeyapuram, Kothapalli, Bugganipalli, Bukkapuram,

Balapalapalli, Bethamcherla, Bhavipalli, Kolumulapalli, Musalayacheru of Dhone,

Kurnool, Kalva, Nandyal and Sirvel as veins, lenses and stringers associated with

quartzite and vempalli dolomite limestones. Off colour, white and snow white


DMG, GoAP

barites occur in this district. The reserves are estimated at 1.9 Lakh tonnes. The

mineral is used in paint, textile and oil well drilling. There are three mining leases in

force at present.

GRANITES: The western part of the district falling in the erstwhile Taluks of Adoni,

Aluru, Yemmiganur, Pathikonda etc., is covered by the peninsular granitic

gneisses. Pink granites of Adoni area are intrusive gneisses. These pink granites of

Adoni, Ballekallu, Rangapuram etc., and the intermixing of pink granites and

granitic gneisses has resulted in multicoloured granites which are quarried around

Kotakallu, Kuppagallu, etc. The Granite available in Adoni area is sold in the trade

name of Adoni Red and Mahagani. Apart from these, dolerite dykes are also being

worked in this district as black granite especially near Krishnagiri, Devanakonda

and Yerukalacheruvu Villages.

6.3 Mineral Based Industries in Kurnool District

Kurnool district is endowed with vast mineral recourses like limestone,

barytes, steatite, clay iron ore and mineral pigments like red and yellow ochre.

Besides, building stones and limestone useful as flooring slabs are also available

in plenty.

LIMESTONE: - “Calc Tufa”, a type of limestone useful in the manufacture of

chemical, sugar and paper industries occurs in Peapully, Dhone, Banaganapalli,

Panyam Mandals. The resources of limestone are estimated to contain 3.7 million


DMG, GoAP

tonnes. A calcium carbide plant and Rayalaseema Paper mills were established

basing on this chemical grade limestone available at Dhone Mandal. At present

the above two industries are not functioning. Besides these, large resources of

limestone useful in cement industries are found in the district. There are 3 major

cement plants in the district by name M/s Ultra Tech Cemco Limited (Formerly

L&T Limited) Cements, M/s Priyadarishini Cements & M/s Panyam Cement and

Mineral Industries. There is one Major unit held by M/s Rain Industries Limited

(Priyadarishini Cements) at present in the jurisdiction of this office. There is

possibility to establish more Cement Industries in the District with the available of

Cement Grade Lime Stone

STEATITE: Steatite useful in paper and soap industries is available at

Muddavaram, Balapalapalli, Pendekal, Chandrapalli Village of Dhone Mandal. 90%

of Steatite from the total production is being sent to other destinations in

Karnataka and Tamilnadu.

CLAY: Large deposits of clay are available at Kommemarri, Boyapalli,

Bethamcherla, Nandavaram, Malkapuram villages of Dhone Mandal. It is

suggestible to setup ceramic tiles industry either at Peapully or at Bethamcherla.

SILICA SAND: A large deposit of Silica Sand is found associated with Panyam

Quartzite’s near Orvakal, Puricherla, Kalva, Kamarolu villages. It contains 99.62 % of

Silica with less iron which is suitable in glass industry. Hence, it is suggested to set

up a glass industry at Kurnool town.


DMG, GoAP

QUARTZ: Quartz deposits are found in Gorentla, Laddagiri Villages of Kodumur

Mandal and Kapatralla Village of Devanakonda Mandal, Chinna Hitha of

Holagundha Mandal. The quartz available here is suitable for the manufacture of

Silicon carbide, ferrosilicon glass and sodium silicate. Hence basing on the quartz

reserves available, the above industries are suggested in this district. At present

Silicon Carbide industry is functioning in the outskirts of Kurnool city.

IRONORE: Nearly 3.7 million tonnes of Iron Ore with 55 %to 58 % Fe is available in

this district, prominent deposits are found at Ramallakota, Veldurthy,

Sarparajapuram, Kalugotla, Gutupalli, Muddavaram Villages. The Iron Ore deposit

available here is free from phosphorous and it is useful in sponge iron & Cement

industry. Hence, at Veldurthy a sponge Iron Industry is suggested to be setup.

OCHRES: Superior quality yellow ochre for the manufacture of paints and other

domestic uses occurs mostly near and around Bethamcherla, Veldurthy,

Ramallakota villages of Dhone Mandal. At present, yellow ochre is being utilized in

ceramic tiles industry. Hence, Bethamcherla village is a suitable location for setting

up a ceramic industry.

BARYTES: Important occurrences of Barytes are found near Hussainapuram,

Valasala, Chinnamalkapuram, Balapalapalli, Ahobilam and Sirvel villages. It is

useful in paint industry as filler and in the manufacture of barium chemicals and in

oil well drillings.


DMG, GoAP

NAPA SLABS: There are about 650 polishing units at Bethamcherla , Dhone ,

Rangapuram, Kurnool, Owk, Cherlopalli, Ramapuram , Kolimigundla based on

Napa Slabs available at Palkur , Gorlagutta , Racherla , Nereducherla , Cherlopalli ,

Ramapuram, Belum, Itikala , Chintalayapalli and Ankireddy palli villages . The

polished slabs of black, white, pink, light green types are being supplied to every

nook and corner within the state and also outside. The unpolished limestone slabs

are being consumed locally and are being supplied to other parts of the state and

country. It is a good building stone used for flooring and roofing. Few more

polishing units at Bethamcherla, based on the napa slabs available in and around

Bethamcherla, can be started.

GRANTIES:- In recent period granite export has taken a prominent place in earning

foreign exchange to the country , Black Granites , Pink Granites , Porphyritic

Granite are being exported from the villages like Bellekallu , Rangapuram. Hence,

export oriented polishing units can be set up at Adoni.

MOSAIC CHIP STONE: Lemon yellow and light green serpentine, along with white

dolomite and various shades of limestones are being used as Chipstone in Mosaic

tile manufacturing. At present, there are about 40 Mosaic Chipstone factories

situated at Bethamcherla, Malkapuram and Dhone based on the Mosaic

Chipstone available at Valasala, Malkapuram, Rangapuram, Kothapalli and

Bethamcherla. There is a scope to establish few more Mosaic Chipstone factories


DMG, GoAP

based on the Mosaic Chipstone available in the above area. The Mosaic

Chipstone after crushing into various sizes is being transported to other states

mainly to Maharastra, Karnataka and Tamilnadu besides being consumed in our

state for manufacturing the Mosaic Tiles.

6.4 Overview of Mining Activity in Banaganapalle Mandal, Kurnool District

As per G.O.Ms.No.31, Industries and Commerce (M-I) Department, dated 15.03.03,

the office of the Assistant Director of Mines & Geology with Head Quarters at

Banaganapalle was established on 15.04.2003 with the following Mandals as office

jurisdiction.

Table: 13: Mineral Resources under the jurisdiction of ADM&G, Banaganapalle mandal, Kurnool District

1. Atmakur 2. Allagadda 3. Banaganapalle 4. Bandi Atmakur

5. Chagalamarri

6. Dornapudi 7. Gospadu 8. Gadivemula 9. Kolimigundla 10. Koilakuntla

11. Kothapalli 12. Jupadubunglow 13. Mahanandi 14. Nandyal 15. Owk

16. Pamulapadu 17. Panyam 18. Rudravaram 19. Sanjamala 20. Sirvel

21. Srisailam 22. Uyyalawada 23. Velugodu Physiography:


DMG, GoAP

The District consists of two distinct Physiographic Provinces viz., the

undulatory gneissic terrain with low denudational hills in the west and a

sedimentary terrain with structural plateaus and homo clinical ridges and valleys

in the East. The climate of the District may be described as semi arid with annual

rain fall ranging from 40-60 cm and the daily temperature varying from 18 to 430 C.

The Krishna River and its tributary Thungabhadra flow through the area in the

North.

Mineral Resources:

Kurnool District is well known for its mineral resources especially for

limestone deposits, like flagstones, Cement grade Lime stones. In the jurisdiction

of this office, there are a number of Mining Leases granted for Lime Stone Cement

Grade to various Cement Factories which were established in Kurnool and

Anantapur Districts as detailed below:

1) M/s Panyam Cements and Mineral Industries near Bugganipalli, Panyam

Mandal

2) M/s. Ultra Tech Ltd.,( formerly L&T Ltd.,) near Bogasamudram Village,

Tadipatri Mandal, Anantapur District.

3) M/s Penna Cements Talaricheruv Vg, in Tadipatri Mandal , Anantapur District.,

4) M/s Sree Jaya Jyothi Cements Private Limited, Yanakandal Village,

Banaganapalle, Mandal, Kurnool District

5) M/s. J.S.W., Cements Limited, Bilakalaguduru Village, Gadivemula Mandal,

Kurnool District


DMG, GoAP

Narji Limestones are found in Kolimigundla, Owk, Sanjamala,

Banaganapalle, Panyam, Gadivemula and Koilakuntla Mandals and several areas

in the district. The Narji Limestones contain both massive and flaggy limestones.

The massive deposits are used in cement manufacture while the flags are

quarried as building material. The famous Napa Slabs of Black and Colour Slabs

are available in Narjy and Flaggy Limestones. Major Napa Slab Black quarries are

found at Ankireddypalle, Bandarlapalle, Chintalayapalle, Meerjapuram,

Abdullapuram, Itikyala, Thummalapenta, Belum, Belum-Singavaram and

Kanakadripalli in Kolimigundla Mandal, Cherlopalle, Ramapuram, Sangapatnam

and Sunkesula Villages in Owk Mandal, Palkur, Ramakrishnapuram in

Banaganapalle Mandals and Limestone Slabs (Colour) slabs are situated at

Meerapuram, Pathapadu, Yenakandla and Yerragudi Village in Banaganapalle

Mandal areas.

In the jurisdiction of this office, approximately One Lakh million tonnes of

Limestone deposits are estimated and these deposits exist in revenue lands,

Pattalands and also in forest land.

LIMESTONE: There are five Major units held by M/s Jaya Jothi Cements, M/s

Panyam Cements Mineral Industries, M/s Penna Cements Ltd, M/s Ultra Tech

Cements Ltd & M/s JSW Cements Ltd, at present in the jurisdiction of this office.

There is possibility to establish more Cement Industries in the District in the areas

of Kolimigundla, Owk, Banaganapalle Mandals with the available reserves of

Cement Grade Lime Stone.


DMG, GoAP

NAPA SLABS: There are about 380 polishing units at Banaganapalle, Owk,

Cherlopalli, Ramapuram, Kolimigundla based on Napa Slabs available at Palkur,

Cherlopalli , Ramapuram, Belum, Itikala, Chintalayapalli, Ankireddypalli villages .

The polished slabs are being supplied to every nook and corner of the state and

also outside. The unpolished Limestones slabs (Black) are being consumed locally

and are being supplied to other parts of the state and country. It is a good building

stone used for flooring and roofing. Few more polishing units at Bethamcherla,

based on the napa slabs available in and around Bethamcherla can be started.

Road Metal: There are about 35 stone crushing units at Bhanumukkala Vg, of

Banaganapalle Mandal & Thammarajupalli of Panyam Mandal.

References ▪ APSAC (2017a) Project Report on A.P. Road Information System, 26p. ▪ APSAC (2017b) Identification of potential sites for aquaculture development

in coastal districts of Andhra Pradesh using high resolution satellite data, Project Report, 191p.

▪ APSAC (2017c) Ground Water Quality Mapping of Andhra Pradesh, Technical Report, 40p.

▪ Buseck P.R., Tsipursky S.J. and Hettich R. 1992. Fullerenes from the geological environment. Science 257, pp. 215-217.

▪ Buseck, P. R. (2002). Geological fullerenes: Review and analysis. Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 203(3-4), pp781-792.

▪ CGWB (2013) Ground Water Brochure, Kurnool District, Andhra Pradesh, Ministry of Water Resources, Government of India pp.25

▪ DES (2015) Hand Book of Statistics, Kurnool District, Chief Planning Officer, Krishna, Machilipatnam, 284p.

▪ District Census Handbook (2011), Kurnool District, Directorate of Census Operations Andhra Pradesh, serious 29.


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▪ Geological Survey of India (GSI) (2000) District Resource Map, Kurnool District, Andhra Pradesh

▪ Jan Jehlicka, Ales Svatos, Ota Frank and Filip Uhlik. 2003. Evidence for fullerene in soiled bitumen from pillow lavas of Proterozoic age from Mitov (Bohemian Massif, Czech Republic). Geochemica cosmochemica Acta, Vol.67, pp.1495-1506.

▪ NRSA (2006) Manual of National Land Use Land Cover Mapping Using Multi-Temporal Satellite Data. National Remote Sensing Centre, Department of Space, Government of India, Hyderabad.

▪ NRSA (2007) Ground Water Prospects Mapping Using Remote Sensing Techniques and Geographic Information System, Rajiv Gandhi National Drinking Water Mission Project, Phase-III, Manual, 222p.

▪ NRSC (2009) Space Based Information Support for Decentralized Planning (SIS-DP), Manual, 214p.

▪ NRSC (2011) Ground Water Quality Mapping (RGNDWM), Methodology Manual, 75p.

Documents

DISTRICT SURVEY REPORT KURNOOL DISTRICT