Nallamala Hills, Location, Geology, Rivers and Ecology 

The Nallamala Hills are a major hill range of the Eastern Ghats in southern India. They are geographically, ecologically, and socio-economically significant. 

Nallamala Hills Location and Extent

• The Nallamala Hills stretch primarily across the states of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. 
• They run in a north-south direction, parallel to the eastern coast of India.
• The hills form part of the larger Eastern Ghats mountain system, which is discontinuous in nature.

Nallamala Hills Geology

• The Nallamala hills are composed mainly of Archaean rocks, including quartzite and slate.
• They are part of the Cuddapah Basin, an important geological formation in southern India.
• The terrain is rugged with steep slopes and deep valleys.
• Average elevation ranges from 500 to 900 meters, with some peaks rising above 1,000 meters.
• The region is rich in mineral deposits such as Limestone, Barytes and Uranium.

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Nallamala Rivers and Drainage

• The Krishna River cuts across the Nallamala Hills at the famous Srisailam gorge.
• Important tributaries flowing through hills include Tungabhadra, Bhavanasi and Kunderu.
• The river valleys create deep gorges and scenic landscapes.

Nallamala Hills Ecology 

• The Nallamala region is covered with tropical dry deciduous forests and is known for rich biodiversity.
• Major Protected Areas include Nagarjunsagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve. It is one of the largest tiger reserves in India and habitat for Bengal Tiger, Leopard, Sloth Bear and Indian Pangolin. 
• The area is also rich in medicinal plants and endemic species.

Nallamala Hills Other Features

• The Nallamala hills are inhabited by the Chenchu tribe, classified as a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG).
• The hills house the famous Srisailam Temple, a temple that is dedicated to Lord Mallikarjuna (Shiva) and is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas in India.