8. The Eastern Chats

The Eastetrn Ghats form the eastern boundary of the Deccan Plateau. It is a massive outlying block of hills. The average height of the Eastern Ghats is about 600 m. The Eastern Ghat is a series of the detached hills of heterogeneous composition which are called by various local names. Between Mahanadi and Godavari, the average elevation of the Eastern Ghats is about 1100 m (Fig. 2.3). The peak of Aroya-Konda (Andhra Pradesh) with an elevation of 1680 metres is the highest peak of the Eastern Ghats. Among other peaks Dewodi-Munda (1598 m), Singa-Raju (1516 m) and Nimalgiri (1515 m) in the Koraput District and Mahendragiri (1501 m) in Ganjam District are the other important peaks. The predominant rocks of the Eastern Ghats are khondalites, metamorphosed- sedimentary, and chai nokites (intrusive rocks being granite). Between the Krishna river and Chinnai are the Kondavidu, Nallamalai, Velikonds, Palkonda, and Erramala Ranges. Their continuation can be seen in the Seshachalam (Cuddapah and Anantapur districts),Javadi, Shevaroy, Panchaimalai, Sirumalai, and Varushnad Hills south west of Madurai (Tamil Nadu).