Parvathipuram Manyam is a district in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. It was carved out as part of a major administrative reorganisation that took effect on 4 April 2022, when the Government of Andhra Pradesh increased the number of districts in the state from 13 to 26. The district has its headquarters at Parvathipuram.
| Country | India |
|---|---|
| State | Andhra Pradesh |
| Region | North Coastal Andhra |
| Headquarters | Parvathipuram |
| Formed | 4 April 2022 |
| Parent districts | Vizianagaram, Srikakulam |
Background
The district was constituted from parts of the erstwhile Vizianagaram and Srikakulam districts. Its creation was part of the state government's policy of aligning revenue districts with the boundaries of parliamentary constituencies, with each new district broadly corresponding to one Lok Sabha seat. Parvathipuram Manyam mostly lies within the area of the Araku Lok Sabha constituency, which is reserved for Scheduled Tribes.
Geography
The district lies in the northern part of Andhra Pradesh and shares borders with the state of Odisha to the north, the Alluri Sitharama Raju district to the west, the Vizianagaram district to the south, and the Srikakulam district to the east. The terrain includes portions of the Eastern Ghats, with the agency tracts containing significant tribal-inhabited hill regions. The Nagavali and Vamsadhara are among the rivers that drain parts of the district.
Administration
The district is administered by a Collector and District Magistrate, supported by a Superintendent of Police and a District Forest Officer. For revenue administration, the district is organised into revenue divisions and mandals. Major towns include Parvathipuram, Salur, Bobbili, Kurupam and Palakonda.
Demography and society
Parvathipuram Manyam has a substantial Scheduled Tribe population, particularly in its agency mandals. Communities such as the Savaras, Jatapus and Kondhs are present in the hill areas. Telugu is the principal language, alongside several tribal languages spoken in the agency tracts.
Economy
The economy is largely agrarian, with paddy, maize, sugarcane, millets and pulses being important crops. Horticulture, including mango and cashew cultivation, is significant. Forest produce from the agency areas, handlooms in places such as Bobbili and Salur, and small-scale industries also contribute to local livelihoods.
Culture
The region is known for the Bobbili veena, a traditional musical instrument with Geographical Indication recognition, and for the historical legacy of the Bobbili kingdom, including the events surrounding the Battle of Bobbili of 1757. Tribal festivals and traditions form an important part of the cultural life of the agency areas.
Related topics
- Districts of Andhra Pradesh
- Vizianagaram district
- Srikakulam district
- Alluri Sitharama Raju district
- Parvathipuram
- Bobbili
- Eastern Ghats
References
- Government of Andhra Pradesh, notifications on the reorganisation of districts, 2022.
- Wikidata entity Q110714856.