Amazon India has joined hands with Visakhapatnam Forest Tribals, signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to empower tribal artisans from Visakhapatnam through economic opportunities, cultural preservation, and community development. The partnership aims to leverage the rich heritage and craftsmanship of the tribal communities to offer authentic handcrafted products to a global audience via its e-commerce platform. This step underscores Amazon India’s dedication to social responsibility and sustainability, aligning with its mission to create positive impacts in the communities it serves.

The primary objective of this partnership is to provide visibility and support revenue generation through the forest produce manufactured by the tribals through listing on Amazon and in turn create employment opportunities. The Amazon Karigar program will provide comprehensive training for tribal members in value addition, packaging, and branding, empowering them to sell their products online. Under this initiative, an e-commerce hub will be established within the tribal area of Visakhapatnam Forest. The hub will serve as a crucial centre for various activities, including primary and secondary packaging, storage, dispatch, and order processing.

On this occasion, Mr. Gaurav Bhatnagar, Director, Seller Acquisition and Development at Amazon India, said, “This partnership marks our continued efforts to celebrate the rich tapestry of India’s handicrafts, empower and support socio-economic empowerment of tribal communities while preserving their traditional knowledge, skills, and cultural heritage. By joining hands with the Visakhapatnam Forest Tribals and expanding our Karigar Program’s reach, we are enriching the Amazon marketplace with authentic handcrafted products and upholding the legacy of age-old traditions. Together, we embark on a journey to create meaningful opportunities and preserve the invaluable traditions that define our nation’s soul.“

The MoU between Amazon India and the Visakhapatnam Forest Tribals signifies a shared commitment to fostering indigenous craftsmanship, promoting cultural exchange, and enhancing livelihoods. As part of Amazon Karigar, Tribal artisans will gain access to Amazon’s expansive reach and resources, showcasing and selling tribal handicrafts. Initially, the project will focus on the online sale of forest produce in non-consumable categories, such as grass weaving for mats, elephant dung paper, and bamboo utensils.

Speaking on the partnership, Mr. Anant Shankar, IFS, District Forest Officer, Visakhapatnam, said “The Visakhapatnam division of the Andhra Pradesh Forest Department is dedicated to improving the lives of local and forest-dependent communities through various initiatives. As facilitators, we aim to empower these communities through multiple collaborations and partnerships. Our collaboration with Amazon India will significantly benefit the tribal community residing in the heart of the Kambalakonda Wildlife Sanctuary in Visakhapatnam district, Andhra Pradesh. This partnership will enable them to showcase their craftsmanship to a broader audience, thereby enhancing their living standards. Amazon’s commitment to social responsibility and sustainability is truly inspiring, and we look forward to working together to create a brighter future for our communities.”

Launched in 2017, the Amazon Karigar program enables small businesses and specialized micro-entrepreneurs like weavers, artisans, and artisans to benefit from e-commerce, grow their businesses, and, in many cases, revive some dying art forms from the country. Today, Amazon Karigar impacts over 1.8 MM (18 lakh) artisans with a selection of over 200K (2 lakh) unique handmade products across handloom, handicraft, hand-processed beauty & gourmet products, including 470+ unique arts and crafts from across the country. Over 30 government emporiums and five government NGOs have partnered with Amazon to reach customers through A.in. Amazon. has on boarded more than 4500 sellers, including master weavers, co-operatives, artisans, brands, and APEX bodies, to sell online.