Day 81 – Q 4.What are natural fibres? How are industries related to natural fibres distributed in India? Discuss.

4. What are natural fibres? How are industries related to natural fibres distributed in India? Discuss.

 प्राकृतिक फाइबर क्या हैं? भारत में प्राकृतिक रेशों से संबंधित उद्योग कैसे वितरित हैं? चर्चा करें।

Introduction:

Natural fibres are hair-like raw material directly obtainable from an animal, vegetable, or mineral source and convertible into nonwoven fabrics such as felt or paper or, after spinning into yarns, into woven cloth. E.g. Hemp, Sisal, Jute, Rice straw etc.,

Body

A wide variety of natural fibres are used in traditional and modern textile/handlooms.

Distribution of Industries related to Natural Fibres:

• Cotton industry: Maharashtra is the leading producer in cotton textiles Followed by Gujarat, Tamilnadu and so on. The reasons include cheap availability of labour, raw material close to ports helpful in exports.
• Jute industry: West Bengal alone accounts for 50% of jute production and has the highest jute textile industries. Andhra Pradesh comes in the second place with both places owing to the presence of river useful of retting (Hugli and Godavari) and availability of skilled labour.
• Banana fibre: used in manufacture of building boards and fire resistant fibre board. Places like Burhanpur of Madhya Pradesh, Erode district of Tamil nadu are leading producers. Apart from this, the Banana growing regions of north east are at nascent stages vis-à-vis industries establishment. 
• Rise Husk: As fuel, bricks, acid proof cement – the industries are distributed near paddy growing regions like Tamilnadu, parts of Karnataka, Odisha and Bihar owing to the easy raw material availability.
• Coconut Husk: mainly used in the coir industry is situated in and around the state of Kerala which is famous for coconut cultivation.
• Sisal fibre: used in manufacture of ropes, carpet etc., and is found majorly in Maharashtra, Odisha and other Southern states. Tribal regions of Odisha and Chattisgarh, even today manufacture traditional crafts from Sisal fibre and has huge demand.

Conclusion

Thus, the distribution of Natural fibre based industries are dependent on the raw material availability, labour, power supply as well as market. The related industries are distributed all over India. The government policies have major impact and has to promote these industries which are not only labour intensive which is conducive for India ,but also environmental friendly which is conducive for world environment.