Kondapalli toys: Administration comes to rescue of artisans, to set up ‘wood bank’ in Andhra Pradesh

RAJAMAHENDRAVARAM: In a relief to the Kondapalli artisans, the State government has decided to set up a ‘wood bank’ under the supervision of the forest department.In a press release, the chief conservator of forest JSN Murthy said the partnership between public and beneficiaries would be adopted under the scheme for the toy-making village. Focus would be shifted to the production of Tella Poniki, a soft wood used in the production of Kondapalli toys.

It is also learnt the Capital Region Development Authority (CRDA) would assist in the cutting process of Tella Poniki.As per the latest information available, 211 artisans from 80 families are involved in the toy-making process. Four Vana Samrakshna Samitis (VSS) are functioning at forest reserve areas of Kondapalli, G Konduru and A Konduru.

It is learnt that each VSS would be allotted an area of 200 hectares. Each toy maker needs 36 cubic metre of woods for a period of one year to manufacture his produce. The price of one cubic metre is `4,000.
If one goes by the calculation, the wood would be sufficient for 13 years. The forest department said it would spend `2.85 lakh every year for the purpose. The department aims to grow trees that would provide raw materials needed for the toys for the next 20 years.

Kondapalli, a village near Vijayawada, is very popular for the wooden toys. Every toy produced is very distinctive.The artisans require Tella Poniki trees as raw materials for their produce. However, the major obstacle is that the trees need a lot of time to grow.

Saving Kondapalli art

The department aims to grow Tella Poniki trees that would provide raw materials needed for the toys for the next 20 years.
The Kondapalli artisans require Tella Poniki trees as raw materials for their produce

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