---
title: "Andhra Pradesh opens craft wood banks to back six crafts"
url: https://projectchintan.com/article/andhra-pradesh-craft-wood-banks-launch-5lvty
publisher: Project Chintan
author: Project Chintan Newsroom
section: Politics
published: 2026-08-15T14:12:21.421Z
modified: 2026-08-15T16:00:07.249Z
language: en-IN
---

# Andhra Pradesh opens craft wood banks to back six crafts

The Andhra Pradesh government inaugurated a Central Craft Wood Bank and six regional wood banks to supply raw timber for six crafts, targeting around 5,000 families and detailing species and storage for five years.

## Key takeaways

- A Central Craft Wood Bank and six regional craft wood banks were inaugurated in Andhra Pradesh to supply raw wood for six crafts.
- The initiative covers nearly 40 wood species and aims to support around 5,000 craft families.
- Storage capacity starts at about 30 cubic metres, with a plan to meet five years of needs through the banks.
- Specific wood species are linked to particular crafts and districts, with the forest department handling procurement.

## What Happened

The Andhra Pradesh government inaugurated a Central Craft Wood Bank at Dowleswaram in East Godavari district, with a focus on providing access to nearly 40 wood species for crafts. Alongside, six additional craft wood banks were virtually inaugurated in Kondapalli, Etikoppaka, Settigunta / Lakshmigaripalli, Madhavamala, Udayagiri, and Bobbili. The initiative aims to support about 5,000 families across six crafts by supplying raw wood material and integrating documentation through QR codes detailing origin, forest cover, species and age. The baseline storage currently measures around 30 cubic metres of wood and is planned to be expanded to cover the needs for the next five years.

The wood banks will procure specific species for identified crafts: Ankudu for Etikoppaka toys in Anakapalli district; Tella Poniki for Kondapalli toys in the NTR district; Pedda Maanu for toys in Annamayya district; about 30 species for Madhavamala wood carving in Tirupati district; five species for Udayagiri cutlery in Nellore district; and jackfruit wood for the Veena craft in Bobbili, Vizianagaram district. The forest department will source these materials for the respective banks. Officials attended the inauguration, including the Handicrafts Development Corporation chairman and senior forest department officials.

## Why It Matters

The program links forest resources with traditional crafts, potentially stabilizing supply chains for multiple craft communities and expanding access to varied wood species. By embedding QR-based documentation, it also introduces traceability for origin and species, which could affect how materials are tracked and managed across the sector.

## Background

The report outlines a state-led push to centralize and distribute raw timber to craft communities, with multiple regional banks connected to a central facility. The initiative targets six crafts and a combined reach of around 5,000 craft families in the state, indicating an established focus on preserving traditional livelihoods through material support.

## Key Facts

- Central Craft Wood Bank opened at Dowleswaram, East Godavari district.

- Six craft wood banks inaugurated virtually in Kondapalli, Etikoppaka, Settigunta / Lakshmigaripalli, Madhavamala, Udayagiri, Bobbili.

- Nearly 40 species of wood are made accessible to craft families.

- Approximate reach: 5,000 families across six crafts.

- Current storage equals about 30 cubic metres of wood, with plans to cover five years’ needs.

- Specific species mapped to crafts: Ankudu, Tella Poniki, Pedda Maanu, plus about 30 species for Madhavamala, five species for Udayagiri, and jackfruit wood for Bobbili Veena craft.

- Forestry department to procure wood for the respective banks.

- Key officials present included the Handicrafts Development Corporation chairman and senior forest officials.

## What Happens Next

The announcement notes the banks will store raw wood and continue procurement for the crafts, with QR-based documentation to track origin, forest cover, species and age. No additional scheduled milestones are specified beyond the stated five-year storage horizon.

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Canonical: https://projectchintan.com/article/andhra-pradesh-craft-wood-banks-launch-5lvty
Reported from: Multiple Sources