Context: Many skilled artisans are abandoning sector for other jobs; stakeholders want government help.

About Channapatna toys:

• Channapatna toys are a particular form of wooden toys (and dolls) that are manufactured in the town of Channapatna in the Ramanagara district of Karnataka state, India.
• This traditional craft is protected as a geographical indication (GI) under the World Trade Organization, administered by the Government of Karnataka.
• As a result of the popularity of these toys, Channapatna is known as Gombegala Ooru (toy-town) of Karnataka.
• Traditionally, the work involved lacquering the wood of the Wrightia tinctoria tree, colloquially called Aale mara (ivory-wood).
• The origin of these toys can be traced to the reign of Tipu Sultan, who invited artisans from Persia to train the local artisans in the making of wooden toys.

Reference: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/concerns-raised-over-channapatnas-toy-story/article32480475.ece

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