Forest Department to set up craft wood banks at six locations to support artisans in Andhra Pradesh
The Andhra Pradesh Forest Department is establishing 'craft wood banks' across six locations to provide artisans with affordable, sustainable timber. This initiative aims to revive traditional handicrafts while promoting scientific forest management and preventing illegal logging.
Why it matters
Demonstrates a policy intersection between economic support for traditional artisans and environmental conservation efforts.
The Forest Department is setting up craft wood banks at Kondapalli, Etikoppaka, Settigunta, Madhavamala, Udayagiri and Bobbili to help artisans source wood required for making handicrafts, as per the instructions of Deputy Chief Minister and Minister for Environment and Forests K. Pawan Kalyan.
More such wood banks will be established at other locations across the State, including a bamboo wood bank at Rajamahendravaram, a red sanders bank at Tirupati and a teak wood bank at Kapavaram, according to an official release on Monday.
The department has taken steps to ensure a continuous supply of timber to artisans on a no-profit basis. While establishing the wood banks, measures are also being taken to ensure forest conservation. Officials have begun identifying warehouses and procuring timber for the six locations. A central wood bank is also being established at Dowleswaram in Rajamahendravaram.
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