The Karnataka State Handicrafts Development Corporation (KSHDC) is speeding up the process of establishing the first Craft Tourism Village of the state in Anegundi of Koppal district.

The Craft Tourism Village is expected to welcome visitors by the end of June this year.

The establishment process accelerated after KSHDC managing director IGP D Roopa visited Anegundi and assured the artisans that the Craft Tourism Project will soon be a reality.

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Even though the project was announced some months back, the establishment process, however, did not take off as expected and the project was limping in implementation.

It may be mentioned here that Anegundi, which was the capital of the Vijayanagara dynasty, has been home to several artisans of repute.

For decades the artisans of Anegundi have been preparing a wide range of crafts using banana fibre and water hyacinth.

The village has over 300 artisans whose works have attracted thousands of tourists- both national and foreign- who pay a visit to the world heritage site Hampi.

The implementation of the project will now be looked after by Nirmithi and it will work in tandem with local NGOs and others to complete the project on time.

Informing about the development IGP Roopa informed that the detailed project report (DPR) of the project was ready and the corporation was eagerly waiting to implement it at the earliest.

The project will include beautification of streets and creating space for artisans.

The KSHDC managing director further informed that the corporation would also look to popularise banana fibre craft and bamboo crafts in future.

It is hoped that the project would help to revive the lost charm of Anegundi and also Karnataka and would elevate the banana fibre craft industry to a different height.

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