Jute geo-textile seen as answer to Assam's soil erosion problem

With jute geo-textiles now globally believed as a green alternative to synthetic geo-textiles for preventing surface soil erosion, the National Jute Board (NJB) is hoping big for its application in Assam.

It is focussing on creating awareness for use of jute geo-textiles for rural road constructions, arresting hill slope erosion and river bank erosion in Assam.

The Board today had a workshop here with engineers from Assam's public works department (PWD) to create awareness among them about the application of jute geo-textiles in road construction. Subrata Gupta, jute commissioner of government of India, said Business Standard that the Assam government has evinced its interest for using jute geo-textiles in road construction and arresting soil erosion in hilly slopes.

Already two road projects in Assam, one in Darrang district and the other in Nagaon district, were implemented using this environment friendly technology. "They (PWD) have asked us for rates and other necessary details and we would soon provide them all those," he said. Gupta added that using jute geo-textile in the place of synthetic geo-textiles results in 15 to 16 per cent less construction cost.The NJB is also in touch with the Assam tea industry for using jute geo-textiles for protection of soil from erosion in the slopes of tea gardens."We have approached the PWD of Assam today and soon we will approach the tea industry," said Gupta.

The emphasis, he said, was more on Assam as the state is a jute cultivating state, besides the region being environmentally critical.

"The problem with synthetic geo-textile is its non-biodegradability and undesirably long life. In this age of growing environmental concerns, this ecologically questionable feature of synthetic geo-textiles prompted scientists and technologists to look for natural and bio-degradable alternatives. The remarkable features of jute fibre accepted globally as a sacking ingredient, led to the development of jute geo-textiles,"said Gupta.

"Efficacy of jute geo-textiles has been well established through more than 150 trial applications conducted by 12 central-government organisations, 15 state-government departments and various private organisations across different geographical locations in 22 states of India," said Sumant Poddar, vice chairman of Indian Jute Mills Association (IJMA).