Khammam district

Khammam is a district in,. It had a population of 2,565,412 of which 19.81% were urban as of 2001. is the district headquarters. The present name of Khammam is said to have been derived from the name of the temple 'Narsimhadri', later 'Stamba Sikhari' and then it was termed as 'Stambadhri'.The vertical rock under the temple is known as 'KAMBA'. The name of the town Khammam seems to have been derived from the name of this hill of Kamba and the district is named as Khammam.

Formation of the district
Khammam town which was the seat of Taluk Administration was part of the larger Warangal District, till 1st October, 1953. Five taluks of the Warangal district viz., Khammam, Madhira, Yellandu, Burgampadu and Paloncha (Now Kothagudem) were carved out as a new district with Khammam as headquarters.

In 1959 Revenue Division consisting Bhadrachalam and Nuguru Venkatapuram Taluks of, which were on the other side of the river Godawari were merged into Khammam on grounds of geographical contiguity and administrative viability.

In 1973 a new taluk with Sathupalli as headquarters was formed carving out from Madhira and Kothagudem taluks. In the year 1976 four new taluks were formed viz., Tirumalayapalem, Sudimalla, Aswaraopeta and Manuguru by bifurcating Khammam, Yellandu, Kothagudem and Burgampadu taluks respectively. In the year 1985, following the introduction of the Mandal system the district has been divided into 46 mandals, in four Revenue Divisions - Khammam, Kothagudem, Paloncha and Bhadrachalam.

Demographics
The district, which had a population of 8,12,993 when it was formed, has about 25,62,412 as per 2001 census. The density has grown from 51 to 160 km² out of the total population, of the district there are 12,99,245 males and 12,66,167 females. Among them there are about 3,60,154 SCs 5,58,958 STs. About 80% of the population is living in villages. The sex ratio is 974 females for every 1000 male population in villages and about 977 females for 1000 males in the urban areas. The child population of the district in the age group of 0-6 years is 3,37,459. Sex ratio in the child population in the age group 0-6, 968 female in rural areas 971 female in urban areas.

The traditions of people have in Khammam district is a conglomeration of mosaic culture representing Hindus, Muslims and Christians. There are sizable number of scheduled tribes, who constitutes an integral part of Hindu community. Among tribes, koyas, lambadas constitute sizable population. The tribal people are still following their own traditions and customs in their social life.

Tribals
The Khammam district has ST population 5,58,958 which is about 13.29% of the total tribal population of the state. Out of the total (46) mandals about (29) mandals are populated by tribals groups like, Koyas, Lambadas and Kondareddis and about (2) mandals are partially populated by tribes.

Koyas
The meaning of Koya is “a good person living on the hills”. In Dandakaranya forest about 6,00,000 tribes are living. Out of them Koyas constitute about 80%. Koyas are innocent, short statured, lean and rather diffident. They speak koya language. They do not have any property and very little crime among them. They are alcoholics, both men & women. They brew a special flower called Ippa.

Konda Reddis
It is a strange tribe. They live in thick forest and high mountains. They speak an ancient Telugu, which is full of proverbs. They speak very less and they do not trust palins people. They are good craftsman, who use Bamboo to make variety of baskets.

Lambadas
They are called by different names like Lambadas, Sugalies, Banjaras. They dress in colourful clothes, which are studded with mirrors, beads and other decorative items. Men wear head turbans and they sport thick moustache. The men also tattoo their bodies, apart from wearing a variety of bracelets. It is the largest tribal populated district in Andhra Pradesh. The river godavari flows for 250 km. 868,000 are agriculture farmers. 48% i.e., 7693 km², of land forest area.

Agriculture
Khammam District is endowed with Agro climatic and Soil conditions in which a wide range of Horticulture crops like Mango, Banana, Cashew, Coconut, Oilpalm, Cocoa, Pepper Areca nut etc., can be grown.Production of various kinds of fruits, vegetables, flowers, establishing orchards and plantations production and distribution of fruit plants and vegetable seeds are the major activities supported by the Horticulture Department. The District has 845.83 km², of land under horticulture crops with a total production of 4,24,506.000 tonnes of horticulture produce.

Irrigation

 * Major projects
 * Medium Projects
 * Wyra
 * Thaliperu
 * Bayyaram
 * Bathupally
 * Lankasagar
 * Mukamamidi
 * Pedawagu
 * palair

Divisions in Khammam District
Administratively Khammam district is divided into 4 Revenue Divisions and 46 Mandals.