STUDY AREA

Raichur district (Fig. 1) is one of major district in northern Karnataka, India, with 5 taluks and 37 hobli’s and 120 hamlets, an area of 8386 sq. km and a population density of 181 persons per sq. km (2001). Raichur is drought prone, and falls in the northeast dry agro climatic zone. The normal annual rainfall of the district is 621 mm and the average temperature is 35^oC. Raichur urban city falls in this boundary of Raichur district, which has been considered for the analysis. Raichur city, located at 16^o10’2” and 16^o14’ N latitude and 77^o19’, is famous for its imposing Raichur Fort and has huge stone inscriptions in Persian and Arabic languages, referring to its construction in 1200’s. Among the ruins of the immense fort, there are many tanks and old temples. Krishna and Tungabhadra are two water sources which cater to the needs of drinking water supply to Raichur city. Raichur is famous for its rice mills which exports high quality rice and has a production of pure cotton.

Fig. 1 Study area