Page:The Imperial Gazetteer of India - Volume 10 (2nd edition).pdf/198

This page needs to be proofread.



186 NALTIGIRI. Nallamaláis are a few standing camps or tandas of Banjáras, who combine the trade of graziers and cattle-dealers with the occasional practice of cattle-lifting and dacoity. Forests.—The area covered by the Nallamaláis is about five to six thousand square miles, the whole covered with forest. The general characteristic of the timber is density and hardness of texture, owing probably to the light rainfall, which averages between 40 and 45 inches. Yet forms of vegetation characteristic of regions bountifully fed with moisture are found to a considerable extent, and in that respect the hills are said to bear a strong resemblance to the Siwálik range. The principal timber trees are the Nallamdu (Terminalia tomentosa), five specimens of Terminalia bellerica, j'epi (Hardwickia binata), siriman (Anogeissus latifolia), yegi (Pterocarpus Marsupium), teak, the wild mango, and others. Under the system initiated in 1882, the revenue derived from these forests doubled itself at once, rising to £6ooo per annum. Roads. -Two roads practicable for wheeled traffic cross the range. The northern is an old military work known as the Mantraulakanama or Dormal Pass (not to be confounded with the Dornal Pass across the Lankamalá range in Cuddapah). This pass, after lying for many years neglected and impassable, was opened again in 1883. The southern road is called the NANDIKANAMA (9.7'.). The BellaryKistna State Railway, now in course of construction, runs approximately parallel to the Nandikanama Pass road, and intersects it near the crest of the pass. This railway will be taken through the main ridge by a tunnel, 600 yards long, which will be approached on the west by a viaduct that will be the highest as yet built in India. There are two or three bridle paths across the Nallamaláis. Of these, the one most used is the Velúgodekanama, 32 miles long, which runs between the two above-named carriage roads. Temples.—Three Hindu temples of great renown are situated in the Nallamalais, namely--(1) Srishailaın (the Parwattam of early authorities) on the Kistna river ; (2) Mahnandi, built around a hot spring a few miles north of the western end of the Nandikanama Pass; and (3) Ahobalam, picturesquely situated near the southern frontier of Karnúl District. Medical.-- Want of water is seriously felt in the Nandikanama Pass, through which both the main carriage road and the railway run. In a less degree the same want is felt throughout the whole tract. The deficiency of water, the ruggedness of the ground, and the unhealthiness of the climate during the cold and rainy seasons account for the desolation of this beautiful hill range. Naltigirí.–Low chain of hills in Cuttack District, Bengal, 3 miles south of the Assia range of hills, from which it is separated by the