The Karnataka Government has been asked to encourage the use of coir-based products in day-to-day life.

Speaking at the inauguration of the Mangalore leg of Indian Coir Road Show on Tuesday, T.M. Shahid, member of Coir Board, said various products are being manufactured from coir.

Explaining the uses of coir, he said the coir geo-textiles is a measure to prevent soil erosion. It also reinforces roads for heavy traffic and for adverse climatic conditions. Kerala has made use of coir in the construction of roads and a runway at Kozhikode airport, he said.

He suggested that the Karnataka Government think of producing coir-based furniture for use in schools and other government departments.

Flagging off the Mangalore leg of the road show, B. Ramanatha Rai, Karnataka Forest Minister, said that efforts should be made to add value to coconut-based products in the State.

The Indian Coir Road Show is being organised by Coir Board as part of its diamond jubilee celebrations. The Kanyakumari-Kashmir road show on a bus -- Coir Kranthi Express – was flagged off from Kanyakumari on November 5, Shahid said. Plans are afoot to open a sub-regional office of the Coir Board and a show room in Mangalore, he said.

Nalin Kumar Kateel, Mangalore MP, presided over the programme. Coir Kranthi Express toured the city before entering the neighbouring Udupi district on Tuesday.

vinayak.aj@thehindu.co.in

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