Draft Eighth Five Year Plan (1990-95) Andhra Pradesh Volume - I

Abstract

From Overview: Andhra Pradesh was formed on 1st November, 1956 under the States’ Reorganisation Act by merging the Telugu Speaking areas of the erstwhile Hyderabad State with the Andhra State which was separated from the composite Madras State in 1953. Andhra Pradesh has an area of 2.77 lakh Sq.Kms and a population of 535 lakhs (1981 Census) and ranks as the fifth largest State both in terms of area and population in the Indian Union. The State is in a tropical region and has a long coast line. While some coastal areas have the benefit of assured irrigation, the northern and northwestern parts are rich in mineral resources. The southern part of the State is affected by recurring droughts. The State can claim some of the best forest areas. More important, it is referred to as the river State because it is endowed with substantial scope for irrigation and power through the rivers Krishna, Godavari, Thungabhadra and Pennar. The major part of the State is covered by red soils with relatively lesser capacities to retain moisture. In terms of climate, the normal rainfall ranges from about 54 cm. to about 114 cm. The State is also rich in minerals particularly coal, limestone, barytes, Manganese-ore and Chinaclay. Overall, the State is a mini-India in terms of the variety, potential and complexity of the resource potential.