Nallamala Hills

Nallamala Hills spread across places like Nellore, Chittoor, Kurnool, Kadapa, and Prakasam. These hills are famous for their beautiful greenery, stunning backgrounds, and picturesque paths. Because of this, lots of people who enjoy hiking, climbing mountains, and exploring wildlife like to visit the Nallamala Hills.

In this article, we will take a look at the infamous Uranium Mining at the Nallamala Hills and some other interesting facts. Let's get started!

Nallamala Hills - Overview

About Nallamala Hills

The Nallamala Range is a series of hills and valleys in the Eastern Ghats, located in eastern Andhra Pradesh, southern India. Situated to the south of the Krishna River, these hills extend in a north-to-south direction, running parallel to the Coromandel Coast along the Bay of Bengal. They cover a distance of approximately 265 miles (430 km), with the northern boundary in the Palnad Basin and the southern boundary in the Tirupati Hills. The width of the Nallamala Range is around 19 miles (31 km), and the hills reach an average height of 2,900 to 3,600 feet (900 to 1,100 meters). Comprising mostly jumbled quartzites and slates, these rugged and sparsely populated hills showcase the mountainous beauty typical of the Eastern Ghats.

Geography of Nallamala Hills

• The Nallamala Hills are found in the Eastern Ghats, forming the eastern boundary of the Rayalaseema region in Andhra Pradesh and the Nagarkurnool district in Telangana. These hills are crossed by two major rivers, the Krishna and Pennar, running north-south and parallel to the Coromandel Coast for about 430 kilometres.
  
• Up north, the flat Palnadu basin marks the boundaries of Nallamala Hills, while down south, the Krishna and Pennar rivers meet the Tirupati Hills. The highest peaks in this range include Bhairani at 1100 meters above sea level and Gundla Brahmeswara at 1048 meters. On average, these hills stand at about 520 meters above sea level.
  
• The rocks in the Nallamala Hills have experienced significant weathering and erosion over time, dating back to the Kadapa system. The climate here varies from warm to hot, receiving an average rainfall of 90 centimeters, mainly during the southwest monsoon season.
  
• An intriguing aspect of the Nallamala Hills is the presence of the Chenchus, an indigenous tribe. The Chenchus live in the forest and have chosen to stay away from modern society. They primarily rely on hunting and gathering, while the rest of the Nallamala Hills region engages in agriculture and subsistence farming.

Read More: Eastern Ghats

Nallamala Hills - Flora and Fauna

These hills are mostly covered by open jungle. Since there's not much water, big trees don't grow well here. The main types of trees in the dry deciduous forest are Terminalia, Hardwickia, and Pterocarpus. Agriculture is rare, happening only in small areas near villages for basic needs. The Nallamala Forests are likely the biggest untouched forest in South India, along with the Western Ghats. Until the 1970s, these forests had a lot of wildlife. A significant portion is part of the Nagarjunsagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve, home to a healthy tiger population. Leopards are also often seen here. The famous wildlife writer Kenneth Anderson wrote many adventures set in these forests.

Nallamala Hills - Population

The rough land and lack of water have stopped big cities from growing in this area. Nandyal is the largest city here. The original inhabitants are the Chenchus, a tribe living in the forest, still keeping away from the modern world. People on the plateaus mostly do farming, while the Chenchus still hunt and gather. The hills used to be a center for Naxal activities, involving kidnappings of kids. Since 2005, police actions have mostly removed them from the forest.

Popular Tourist Attractions in Nallamala Hills

There are various tourist attractions spread over the Nallamala Hills region. Some of them are listed down below:

Nallamala Hills - Transport

A state highway and the Nallapadu-Nandyal line of the Guntur railway division go through the hills. The railway, initially built by the Madras and Southern Mahratta Railway, is a remarkable engineering achievement, featuring two tunnels at Bogada and Chelama, along with a few viaducts. The Dorabavi Viaduct, although now abandoned, remains famous. The railway enters the hills at the Nandikama Pass near Cumbum Lake. The highway takes a zigzag route, avoiding tunnels. The main exports from this region are forest products such as timber waste, honey, and molasses.

Nallamala Hills - Notable Incidents

The 2009 Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Helicopter Crash

On September 2, 2009, a Bell-430 helicopter carrying the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, along with two pilots, a chief security officer, and a secretary, disappeared in the Nallamala forest. Despite extensive efforts involving police, paramilitary, Indian Army, Indian Air Force, and Indian Space Research Organization personnel, among others, the chopper was found nearly twenty-four hours later in a damaged and burnt state on top of the 800 ft. Pavuralla Konda (Doves' hill). Unfortunately, all five individuals on board lost their lives in the crash due to unfavorable weather conditions.

Nallamala Hills - Recent News about Uranium Mining

Recently, there's been news about uranium mining in the Nallamala Hills. In 2019, the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change allowed the exploration of uranium in the Nallamalla Forest. But, the Telangana State Legislative Assembly made a unanimous decision to stop mining in this forest.

If they go ahead with uranium exploration and mining, it could harm the Chenchu people's way of living and damage the Tiger Reserve. To stand against this, more than 63 organizations and political parties have joined together to form the 'Struggle Committee Against Uranium Mining.' Their goal is to safeguard the Chenchu community's home and protect the Tiger Reserve.

Conclusion - Nallamala Hills

The Nallamala Hills are a special place with beautiful landscapes and a rich history. From the lush greenery and scenic trails to the unique Chenchu tribe living in the forests, these hills have a lot to offer. However, they face challenges like the threat of uranium mining and the impact on the local wildlife. The Nallamala Range, with its diverse flora and fauna, needs careful protection to preserve its natural beauty for future generations. Let's appreciate and safeguard this wonderful part of our world.

Related Article

• Eastern Ghats