KOCHI: The Indian chapter of the International Erosion Control Association (IECA) will be formed with its headquarters in Kochi under the auspices of the Coir Board.

Coir geotextiles manufacturers, exporters, scientists, civil engineers, consultants and environmentalists will be involved in setting up the Chapter.

The IECA is the premier organisation established for promotion of soil erosion control all over the world and is headquartered in the U.S.

The IECA, said a press release from the Coir Board here, promotes formation of chapters in different parts of the world to create awareness about soil erosion control among the public and the Governments.

The formation of the Indian Chapter of the ICEA was discussed by Coir Board Chairman A.C. Jose, at his meeting with Doug Wimble, IECA Chairman. The discussions were held at the annual conference of the IECA at Long Beach, California.

The Coir Board also proposes to associate with the IECA in organising seminars in the U.S. on coir geotextiles so as to tap the vast potential for the products in that country.

India's export of coir geotextiles (Coir Bhoovastra) has gone up significantly over the last five years.

Export of the product has gone up from 1,207 tonnes (worth Rs.5.46 crores) in 1998-99 to over 2,323 tonnes (Rs.10.50 crores) during 2004-05. For the whole of 2004-05, coir and coir products export stood at 1,22,927 tonnes worth Rs.473.40 crores.

Coir Bhoovastra received national focus with the Coir Board organising a major meet on the applications of coir geotextiles in New Delhi in March 2003. The wide applicability of coir geotextiles in erosion control has marked out the product as one of major export products from the coir industry.

Coir Bhoovastra is being marketed as a technology-based product with its wide applicability and eco-friendliness.

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