CCRI develops coco lawn

ALAPPUZHA: After the success of the ‘coir bhoovastra,’ the scientists of the Central Coir Research Institute (CCRI), Kalavoor, near here, have developed a readymade lawn called coco lawn using various materials of coconut husk. It is an eco-friendly product.The ready-to-use lawn can be rolled like a blanket. The lawn was developed at the institute’s laboratory here after one year’s experiment.“Coir bhoovastra, coir pith, a manure named Coir Pith Organic Manure (CPOM) and grass, are used to make the lawn. After making the coir bed using ‘coir bhoovastra’ and pith, the grass is planted on it. Then water and CPOM are sprayed. The lawn will become ready for use within one month,” CCRI director U S Sarma said.“The synthetic lawns are very costly. The disposal of synthetic material is harmful to nature. This readymade lawn can be applied on any arid surface, even on a concrete floor,” Sarma said.“The lawn can be used to cover golf and tennis courts, hockey and football grounds and as a roof cover for multi-storey buildings and as cycle path or footpath”, he said.“The lawn protects the moisture condition in nature. The coir pith absorbs a lot of moisture which supports the grass saplings during the drought season by providing adequate moisture which is released slowly creating the ideal microclimate,” Sarma said. An amount less than `200 is needed to make a square metre of coco lawn, the researchers at the CCRI said. “The institute has sold the technology to six companies in India and abroad. They are getting good responses,” Sarma said.