Experts come up with 'coir bund' to check soil erosion

Alappuzha, Jun 10 (UNI) Experimenting with the use of coir geotextile to prevent soil erosion, the coir project office here has embarked on a novel project to construct a 30-metre long bund using coir geotextile.

The project is being carried out in the Punnapra Vettikkari field with technical aid from Coirfed and the approval of the National Coir Research and Management Institute.

Experts involved in the project told UNI that they expect the coir bund to have a longer withstanding ability than traditional bunds made of mud and sand.

The coir geotextile bund may not require any type of maintenance also for at least five years. Usually, the traditional bunds need annual maintenance and strengthening procedures.

Besides, the geotextile bunds are also expected to cut down on expenses when constructed on a largescale, they added.

Expounding on other inherent qualities of geotextile construction, the Coirfed officials said the coir in the bund would be able to absorb rain water completely. Grass growing on the surface of the bund would also help in absorption of water.

As the roots of grass and coir will get deeply entwined, this is expected to make the bund as strong as a concrete one.

The team also says that ponds and other water resources can be protected through the geotextile technology with less expense.

UNI XR ARC ROY SY VC1413