Alapalli Teak Hub Adds To Value Creation In District A new wood processing and training center has opened in Alapalli, Gadchiroli, marking a significant step toward transforming the district’s teak into finished products and retaining economic benefits locally. The facility, costing 1.6 crore rupees, was established under the district planning committee’s innovative scheme for 2024-25 at the Maharashtra Forest Development Corporation’s government saw mill. Its primary goal is to create a complete local chain of training, production, finishing, and market access, rather than allowing raw timber to leave the region for further processing. Gadchiroli teak has already been used in high-profile national projects, including the Prime Minister’s Office, Central Secretariat, Central Vista, and Bharat Mandapam. However, much of the timber previously left the district as raw or semi-processed material, with value addition occurring elsewhere. The new center aims to reverse this trend by enabling local women to process the wood, ensuring that finished products, employment, and profits remain within the district. The project’s success is attributed to the involvement of tribal women, who now play a central role in the initiative. District collector Avishyant Panda, who inaugurated the center, emphasized its potential to transform Gadchiroli—a forest-rich but industrially underdeveloped district—into a hub for value addition. Panda noted that the project’s training component is critical, as women who completed the course have already produced tables, trays, and other wooden items, demonstrating their ability to generate revenue through skill development.#gadchiroli_district #maharashtra_forest_development_corporation #alapalli_teak_hub #district_planning_committee #navinya_purna_allocation
