When a Tree Becomes Design Infrastructure
In a significant breakthrough for craft and heritage, scientists at the Forest College & Research Institute (FCRI), Mulugu, have developed a new germination technique for the Poniki tree (scientific name: Givotiarottleriformis) — the traditional wood used for the lacquered toys and figurines of Nirmal, Telangana. The team, led by research scholar Maloth Mounika achieved 75–80% germination rates, overcoming a seed coat barrier that long hampered regeneration. This story brings together materials science, craft heritage, regional economies, and sustainability. When we design for the future of craft, we’re designing for continuity — of materials, ecosystems, and the hands that keep them alive.
When we design for the future of craft, we’re designing for continuity — of materials, ecosystems, and the hands that keep them alive.