Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister K. Pawan Kalyan on Saturday inaugurated the Central Craft Wood Bank at Dowleswaram in East Godavari district, providing access to nearly 40 species of wood required for nearly 5,000 families of six crafts in Andhra Pradesh.

Mr. Pawan Kalyan also virtually inaugurated six craft wood banks located in Kondapalli, Etikoppaka, Settigunta / Lakshmigaripalli, Madhavamala, Udayagiri and Bobbili.

Currently, at least 30 cubic metres of various species of wood is made available for the crafts families and it will soon be able to store the raw wood sufficient for the next five years.

The species of wood to be procured from the forest are ‘Ankudu’ for Etikoppaka toys of Anakapalli district, ‘Tella Poniki’ for Kondapalli toys of NTR district, and ‘Pedda Maanu’ for toys of Annamayya district.

For wood carving craft of Madhavamala of Tirupati district, nearly 30 species of wood will be procured.

At least five species of wood for the cutlery craft of Udayagiri in Nellore district and jackfruit wood for the Veena craft of Bobbili in Vizianagaram district will be procured by the Forest Department for the respective banks.

The wood stored in the banks contains QR code, documenting the details on origin, forest cover, species and age.

Mr. Pawan Kalyan interacted with the craftspersons and enquired about their challenges during the demonstration of their craft at the Dowleswaram Central Craft Wood Bank.

Handicrafts Development Corporation Chairman Pasupuleti Hariprasad, Principal Secretary (Forest and Environment Departments) Kantilal Dande, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests P.V. Chalapathi Rao and Chief Conservator of Forests (Rajahmundry) Jyothi were present.

Published - August 15, 2026 07:22 pm IST