Abhijith Sasikumar and Rachel Mary Rajan
Kerala, the southernmost state in India, is known for its vibrant tourist destinations, exceptional healthcare, literacy, socio-economic well-being, and ecological diversity. But Kerala trails behind many other states when it comes to industrial development. This is ironic, considering the state was once the pioneering industrial region within the country. The gradual decline of industries in Kerala is due to several reasons, including policy changes within the state, lack of resources catering to large-scale industries, and other incentives to start new industries, just to mention a few. This map takes a closer look at readily and locally available raw materials to boost the industrial strength of the state. While looking at potential raw materials, two were mainly identified, namely coir and water hyacinth, abundantly available in Kerala. 61% of the entire coir produced in India is made in Kerala (MSME), while the invasive species water hyacinth is a major threat to water bodies in the state, coming second only to Assam. These make either of these natural fibres a potential raw material for industries.
