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Abstract:
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This paper presents the results of a field experiment conducted in Kerala,
South India, to test the effectiveness of coir geotextiles for embankment protection.
The results reveal that treatment with geotextile in combination with grass is an effective
eco-hydrological measure to protect steep slopes from erosion. In the context
of sustainable watershed management, coir is a cheap and locally available material
that can be used to strengthen traditional earthen bunds or protect the banks of village
ponds from erosion. Particularly in developing countries, where coir is abundantly
available and textiles can be produced by small-scale industry, this is an attractive alternative
for conventional methods. The paper analyses the performance of different
treatments with regard to soil moisture content, protection against erosion and biomass
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