Amaravati: The forest department is rolling out a network of Craft Wood Banks across the state to ensure a steady supply of quality timber for traditional artisans while promoting sustainable forest management, as per the directions from Deputy Chief Minister and forest and environment minister Pawan Kalyan. 

In the first phase, wood banks are being set up in six major craft clusters — Kondapalli, Etikoppaka, Settigunta, Madhavamala, Udayagiri and Bobbili — with officials identifying storage facilities and beginning timber procurement. 

A central wood bank is also coming up near the Dowleswaram sawmill in Rajamahendravaram to support all cluster-level units. Reviewing the progress, Pawan Kalyan sought details on timber stocks and facilities ready for inauguration. 

At Kondapalli, Forest Beat Officers’ quarters have been repurposed into a wood bank, and procurement of white poniki wood for toy makers has begun, along with identification of alternative softwood varieties. 

In Etikoppaka, a rented commercial building is being readied, with 1.5 CMT of Ankudu wood already stocked for lacquer artisans. 

The Lepakshi Handicrafts Society’s Common Facility Centre at Settigunta has been designated a wood bank, holding 50 CMT of teak and 150 CMT of non‑teak timber. 

At Madhavamala, an old red sanders depot is being converted for toy makers, with officials procuring Narayepi and Acacia catechu. Udayagiri’s Forest Range Officer quarters have been adapted for the purpose, while Bobbili’s veena makers will be supported through the Gollapalli Craft Development Centre, which already has jackwood and rosewood stocks. 

The Central Wood Bank will store bamboo, rosewood and teak, and another facility is planned at Kapavaram in Eluru district, known for bullock‑cart making. Pawan Kalyan said the initiative aims to revive heritage crafts, reduce production costs and eliminate middlemen. 

He directed officials to supply timber at affordable rates, ensure transparency, map cluster-wise requirements and develop nurseries for scarce species like Ankudu and white poniki. 

He asked PCCF P V Chalapathi Rao to adopt a uniform model for all wood banks and incorporate representations of local craft traditions in each facility.