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Mulugu District, Telangana

History, Geography, Administration & Tourism Guide

Mulugu is one of the newest districts of Telangana, formed on 17 February 2019 by bifurcating Jayashankar Bhupalpally district. The district headquarters is Mulugu town, located on NH 163.

Quick Facts

  • Formation date: 17 February 2019
  • Headquarters: Mulugu
  • Area: 3,031 sq. km
  • Population: ≈ 3 lakh (administrative estimate)
  • Villages & habitations: ~335 habitations, 174 village panchayats
  • Mandals: 9
  • Assembly seats: 1 (Mulugu)

Geography of Mulugu District

Mulugu district is located in the northern region of Telangana State and forms part of the forested and hilly belt of the state. It was carved out from the Jayashankar Bhupalpally district in 2019 and is bordered by several districts of Telangana as well as the state of Chhattisgarh to the northeast.

Location & Boundaries

  • Coordinates: Approximately 18.35°N latitude and 80.58°E longitude.
  • Neighboring Districts: Jayashankar Bhupalpally (west), Bhadradri Kothagudem (south), Warangal Rural (southwest), and Sukma district of Chhattisgarh (north).
  • Connectivity: National Highway NH 163 passes through Mulugu town, linking it to Warangal and Bhopalpatnam.

Topography

  • The district features a mix of plateaus, hills, and forested regions.
  • Elevation ranges between 120 meters to 600 meters above sea level in the hilly areas.
  • Most of the terrain is rugged, with dense forests, river valleys, and small streams.

Rivers & Water Bodies

  • Godavari River: Flows along parts of the district, supporting agriculture and tribal settlements.
  • Laknavaram Lake: A scenic lake surrounded by forested hills, also a popular tourist attraction.
  • Ramappa Lake: An artificial lake built near Ramappa Temple.
  • Minor Streams & Waterfalls: Bogatha Waterfall, Eturnagaram streams, and smaller rivulets provide water to forest and tribal villages.

Forests & Wildlife

  • The district is heavily forested, with large tracts of deciduous and mixed forests.
  • Home to Eturnagaram Wildlife Sanctuary, which preserves tigers, leopards, sloth bears, spotted deer, and numerous bird species.
  • Forests support the livelihood of tribal communities through collection of minor forest produce like bamboo, tendu leaves, and honey.

Climate

  • Mulugu experiences a tropical climate with three main seasons: summer (March–May), monsoon (June–September), and winter (October–February).
  • Summer temperatures can reach up to 42°C, while winter can drop to around 15°C in hilly areas.
  • Annual rainfall averages around 1,000–1,200 mm, mostly during the southwest monsoon.

Soil & Agriculture

  • Soils are mostly red and black, suitable for paddy, maize, cotton, and minor millets.
  • Forest-covered and hilly areas support shifting cultivation (podu) among tribal communities, though settled agriculture is promoted through government schemes.

The geography of Mulugu district — with its combination of hills, rivers, forests, and lakes — not only defines the lifestyle of its tribal communities but also makes it a hub for eco-tourism and adventure activities.

Administration of Mulugu District

The Mulugu District Administration was officially established on 17 February 2019 after being carved out from the Jayashankar Bhupalpally district as part of the Telangana Government’s district reorganization initiative. The district administration focuses on improving access to governance, tribal welfare, and sustainable forest management.

District Headquarters: Mulugu Town
Collector & District Magistrate Office: Mulugu

Administrative Setup

  • Revenue Division: Mulugu
  • Mandals: 9
  • Village Panchayats: 174
  • Assembly Constituency: Mulugu (ST reserved seat)
  • Parliamentary Constituency: Mahabubabad (SC)

Mandals in Mulugu District

  • Mulugu
  • Venkatapur
  • Govindraopet
  • Tadvai
  • Eturnagaram
  • Kannaigudem
  • Mangapet
  • Venkatapuram
  • Wajedu

Administrative Divisions & Key Offices

  • Revenue Division: The district has a single revenue division headquartered at Mulugu, overseeing all 9 mandals.
  • Police Administration: Mulugu district police function under the Warangal Range with the headquarters at Mulugu. Major police stations include Eturnagaram, Mangapet, Venkatapuram, and Wajedu.
  • Judiciary: The District Court of Mulugu caters to local judicial needs and minor civil/criminal cases.
  • Integrated Tribal Development Agency (ITDA): Headquartered at Eturnagaram, this office coordinates all tribal welfare, education, healthcare, and livelihood schemes.
  • District Rural Development Agency (DRDA): Implements rural employment and poverty alleviation programs under the State and Central Governments.
  • Education Department: Oversees government and tribal welfare schools, residential institutions, and model schools under Samagra Shiksha.

Local Governance

  • Each mandal is headed by a Mandal Parishad Development Officer (MPDO) and Tahsildar.
  • Village-level governance is administered through Gram Panchayats under the Panchayati Raj system.
  • Tribal habitations and forest villages often have special representation through Scheduled Area Gram Sabhas.

The administration emphasizes tribal empowerment, environmental protection, and decentralized governance, supported by active coordination between the District Collector, ITDA, and local self-government institutions.

Demography & Tribal Profile

  • The district is tribal-majority (≈75% of villages/hamlets).
  • Major tribal communities include Lambadi (Banjara), Koya and Gond groups.
  • Languages: Lambadi/Banjara (widely spoken; traditionally oral), Telugu, and Gondi in interior areas.
  • The Eturunagaram ITDA (Integrated Tribal Development Agency) operates here to support tribal welfare and development.

Economy of Mulugu District

Mulugu district’s economy is largely rural and tribal in nature, shaped by forests, agriculture, and welfare-driven development programs. As a predominantly forest-covered region with 75% tribal population, much of its livelihood depends on natural resources and government-supported employment schemes.

  • Forest-based Economy: Forest produce such as bamboo, tendu leaves, tamarind, honey, and medicinal herbs provide seasonal income. Tribal communities collect and sell these products through Girijan Cooperative Societies and ITDA outlets.
  • Agriculture: Agriculture is mainly rain-fed, with paddy, maize, jowar, and cotton as the primary crops. Shifting cultivation (podu) is still practiced in some hilly areas, though the government promotes settled farming under tribal development schemes.
  • Employment & Schemes: The Integrated Tribal Development Agency (ITDA) at Eturunagaram plays a vital role in implementing welfare and employment programs such as MGNREGA, Skill Development Training, and ST Sub-Plan initiatives.
  • Tourism: Tourism has emerged as a growing contributor, driven by attractions like Ramappa Temple, Laknavaram Lake, and Bogatha Waterfall. Eco-tourism and tribal culture-based experiences are being promoted by Telangana Tourism.
  • Handicrafts & Cottage Industries: Lambadi women are known for mirror and bead embroidery on fabrics, while local bamboo artisans produce baskets, mats, and household items for local markets.
  • Infrastructure & Trade: Though industrialization is minimal, improved road connectivity via NH-163 and tourism-related businesses are helping small trade, food stalls, and local transport services to grow.

Overall, Mulugu’s economy reflects a balance between traditional forest livelihoods, agricultural activities, and emerging sectors such as eco-tourism and handicrafts — all backed by focused tribal development programs.

Education in Mulugu District

Education in Mulugu district reflects the region’s strong tribal presence and rural character. The district administration, along with the Integrated Tribal Development Agency (ITDA) at Eturnagaram, plays a crucial role in promoting education among tribal and forest-area populations.

Overview

  • Literacy Rate: The district’s literacy rate is lower than the state average due to its high tribal population and forest terrain. Continuous efforts are being made to improve literacy among Lambadi, Koya, and Gond communities.
  • Medium of Instruction: Telugu and English are the main mediums in schools; Lambadi and Gondi are spoken in tribal homes.
  • Administrative Oversight: The District Education Officer (DEO) oversees all educational institutions, including primary, secondary, and intermediate levels.

School Education

  • Government & Zilla Parishad Schools: Nearly every mandal in Mulugu has a network of primary and upper primary schools under the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan program.
  • Tribal Welfare Residential Schools: Run by the Telangana Tribal Welfare Residential Educational Institutions Society (TTWREIS) to provide free education, boarding, and skill-based training for Scheduled Tribe students.
  • Ashram Schools & Hostels: ITDA operates ashram schools and pre-matric hostels in Eturnagaram, Venkatapuram, Mangapet, and Tadvai to support tribal children from remote areas.
  • KGBVs (Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas): Residential schools for girl students from disadvantaged backgrounds are established in most mandals to promote female education.

Higher & Technical Education

  • Junior Colleges: Government Junior Colleges operate in Mulugu and Venkatapur to offer intermediate-level education in arts, science, and commerce streams.
  • Degree College: The Government Degree College, Mulugu, affiliated with Kakatiya University, provides undergraduate courses in arts, commerce, and science.
  • Polytechnic and Vocational Courses: ITDA and Skill Development Centers conduct short-term technical and livelihood-based training, especially in tailoring, electrical work, agriculture, and computer skills.

Special Education Programs

  • Adult Literacy Missions: Functional literacy and continuing education centers are active in several tribal hamlets under Saakshar Bharat and ITDA schemes.
  • Digital Education: Schools in Mulugu town and Venkatapur have begun adopting digital learning aids and virtual classrooms with support from the Samagra Shiksha initiative.
  • Scholarships: Students from Scheduled Tribes, Scheduled Castes, and backward classes benefit from post-matric and pre-matric scholarships under Telangana’s welfare programs.

Despite geographic challenges, Mulugu district has made steady progress in expanding access to education. The combined efforts of ITDA, the District Education Department, and Telangana Tribal Welfare institutions continue to strengthen literacy, gender equality, and skill-based education in the region.

History of Mulugu District

Mulugu district, part of northern Telangana, has a rich historical and cultural background influenced by ancient dynasties, tribal settlements, and later administration under the Hyderabad State and modern Telangana.

Ancient and Medieval Era

  • The region was historically part of the Kakatiya Dynasty (12th–14th centuries), which ruled from Warangal. Temples like Ramappa Temple stand as testimony to Kakatiya architectural excellence.
  • The area also saw influence from the Kakatiya Nayakas and later the Qutb Shahi Sultanate and Asaf Jahi Nizam rulers during the medieval period.
  • Tribal communities, especially the Lambadi (Banjara) and Gonds, have inhabited the forested hills for centuries, practicing shifting cultivation and maintaining a distinct cultural identity.

Colonial and Nizam Era

  • During the Nizam rule of Hyderabad State, the region fell under the administrative jurisdiction of the Warangal or Adilabad districts.
  • The forested and tribal areas were often neglected, leading to occasional tribal revolts and resistance against revenue and forest policies.
  • The area was largely rural, with tribal populations practicing traditional governance through village elders and panchayats.

Post-Independence Era

  • After the integration of Hyderabad State into India in 1948, the area became part of Warangal district in Andhra Pradesh, and later, in 2014, part of Telangana after state formation.
  • In 2019, the government of Telangana reorganized districts, carving out Mulugu district from Jayashankar Bhupalpally district to improve administration and provide focused development for tribal areas.

Tribal and Cultural Heritage

  • The district is home to the Sammakka-Saralamma Jathara (Medaram), one of Asia’s largest tribal fairs, reflecting the deep-rooted tribal cultural and religious traditions.
  • The Lambadi community’s oral traditions, folk dances, and crafts have preserved the local history and identity of Mulugu.

Today, Mulugu’s history is celebrated through its temples, festivals, and preservation of tribal customs, forming a unique blend of heritage, culture, and forested landscapes.

Major Tourist Attractions

Mulugu combines cultural heritage with nature tourism. Highlights include:

Connectivity & Travel Tips

  • By road: NH 163 connects Mulugu to Warangal and Bhopalpatnam — primary access route.
  • Nearest major city: Warangal (road and rail hub).
  • Nearest airport: Hyderabad (around 250 km).
  • When visiting tribal areas, respect local customs and obtain permissions if required for deep forest excursions or protected areas.

Suggested 1–2 Day Itinerary

  1. Day 1: Arrive in Mulugu — visit Ramappa Temple and Ramappa Lake; evening at Laknavaram Lake for sunset views.
  2. Day 2: Visit Bogatha Waterfall in the morning; explore Mallur Fort or Devuni Gutta; optional short visit to Eturnagaram Wildlife Sanctuary (check permit requirements).

Safety & Practical Notes

  • During monsoon, some interior roads may be difficult — check local travel updates.
  • Carry essentials such as water, medicines, and power banks when exploring rural or forested zones.
  • Respect tribal traditions and avoid photographing people without consent.

Further Reading & Resources




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