Rajamahendravaram: Tella Poniki to address wood shortage woes of Kondapalli toymakers

Rajamahendravaram: The Forest department is putting its endeavour to cultivate Tella Poniki, a softwood tree, on a massive scale to give new lease of life to world famous Kondapalli toymakers.

Due to non-availability of Tella Poniki wood, the Kondapalli toymakers were facing many hardships to make the toys. To overcome this problem, the forest department started a wood bank in 2018 to store and supply Tella Poniki to toymakers of Kondapalli, Nirmal and Etikoppaka. 'Jiuotia Rotteri Fromis' is the botanical name of the soft wood.

According to an official of forest department, Tella Poniki trees were raised in the forest areas of Kondapalli, A Kondur and G Kondur. In Kondapalli area, Tella Poniki was under cultivation in five hectares for a period of 20 years.

In 2018, as many as 2,400 Tella Poniki trees were available which can be enough for nearly 13 years. The wood will be collected during March and April when the trees are completely in leafless condition. The wood, which is in light weight and flexible, can be moulded like rubber to make the toys. Because of these properties, the craftsmen use this wood to make the toys.

As an alternative, the department is also cultivating Givotia tree which also has similar features like Tella Poniki trees.