Coir Geo-Textiles: Kerala’s Answer To Soil Erosion

Kerala owes her lush greenery to bountiful monsoons- yet these monsoons can also wash away precious topsoil, resulting in soil erosion and degradation of the environment. The state has found an eco-friendly solution to this problem with coir geo-textiles. Made from coconut fibre, coir geo-textiles are permeable fabrics that resemble fishing nets. Being biodegradable, they offer a sustainable and cost effective solution to rain- damaged roads, disappearing top soil, washed away embankments, and the soil run offs that threaten small water bodies.
The Wonder Mesh
Coir geo-textiles are made of coir fibers woven into small and large sized meshes, depending on the nature of the soil, the degree of precipitation and other factors. The gaps in the pattern have an important role to play. They act as natural sumps for water to accumulate. This speeds up the growth of the plants that have been carefully planted in the gaps. In time, the plants form a natural vegetation cover that stabilizes highway shoulders, embankments and the banks of rivers, ponds and lakes against the forces of the wind and water. This wonder fabric keeps the soil in place through the heaviest of rains, gradually promotes the growth of vegetation over the years and finally, being biodegradable, disintegrates into the soil harmlessly. The vegetation cover will act as a permanent protection for the soil once the coir geo-textiles have decomposed into humus that provides nourishment to the plants growing above.

One Product, Multiple Uses
Coir geo-textiles can be used as an overlay to protect the surface, or as an interim layer to separate, filter and drain. They are widely used in the strengthening of roads that develop cracks due to the pressure of underground water. They act as an interface between the surface of the roads and the underground water. This allows the water to move to the edges and helps in the growth of vegetation along the sides of roads. Coir geo-textiles can help prevent soil erosion in paddy fields as they can help in draining the water out of the fields. Small water bodies can be surrounded by with these coir blankets, not only to protect them from soil erosion but also to prevent their misuse. And that is not all. Coir geo-textiles are excellent for gardens too. They have a unique advantage when compared to other natural fibers in that the frequency of watering is reduced due to the high water retention capacity of the mesh.
Budget –Friendly, Eco-Friendly
Coir geo-textiles are economical as well. They can be spread out at just about one tenth the cost of other alternatives like concrete implants. Even synthetic geo textiles, which are not eco-friendly, are twice as expensive as coir geo-textiles, while granite rocks which are also used to reinforce steep slopes are more than twenty times costlier. Without doubt, coir geo textiles are Kerala’s best choice for protecting and nurturing the lavish gifts that Nature has bestowed upon her.