ALAPPUZHA : Coir industry cannot be blamed anymore for polluting the backwaters and other water bodies. The industry is all set to utilise the eco-friendly new technology developed by the Coir Board for retting coconut fibre instead of the age-old retting process followed by the industry, which involved depositing fibre in water bodies for around three days.

Pollution free

The practise of retting fibre in water bodies has resulted in large-scale pollution. The coconut fibre being used by the industry is at present imported from the neighbouring States. There fibre is being extracted from chemically-treated raw coconut husks using machines.

That fibre needed to be kept immersed in water for a few days to make it soft and to impart golden colour to the fibre.

At the same time, retting causes chemicals that stick on the fibre to get dissolved in water. According to studies retting causes large-scale destruction to the fish wealth of backwaters and other water bodies in the coastal areas of the State.

Moreover, the foul smell emanating from water bodies where retting was being done cause untold difficulties to those who live nearby.

Technology welcomed

State general secretary of small-scale coir manufacturers' association M.P. Pavithran said the coir industry in general welcomed the new coir retting technology developed by the Board. Mr. Pavithran said several cooperative societies in the coir sector tested the new technology developed by the Board and found it worth adopting.

Mr. Pavithran said the new technology for retting involved spraying a solution `Coir Ret' developed by the Board over layers of coconut fibre and keeping it for a day. The solution is based on castor oil and is eco-friendly. Mr. Pavithran said the imported fibre taken from raw husks was found to lose its golden colour even after retting but the fibre treated using Coir Ret was found to retain its colour.

Directive

Meanwhile, the Kerala State Pollution Control Board asked all manufacturers to adopt the new technology and stop retting of fibre in water bodies. A Pollution Control Board communiqué said all manufacturers of coir products should adopt the new technology in three months. The PCB would be forced to take action against those who failed to implement the order.

On the order of PCB, Mr. Pavithran said the manufacturers of coir mats welcomed the PCB move. He said there was need for keeping the water bodies pollution-free, as it was essential for public health.

Moreover, the new technology was more economical, as it minimised the wastage of fibre, he added.

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