Thiruvananthapuram | Kerala Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala on Tuesday said the government will promote use of coir in eco-friendly construction activities as part of its efforts to revitalise the coir industry which is fighting for its survival.

Chennithala, in a Facebook post, said that the Coir Department was going to start a six-month-long first phase action plan by changing the production methods according to the needs of the times and taking into account the market realities.

As part of this, the use of coir -- once known as the 'golden thread of Travancore -- will be promoted for eco-friendly construction activities, acoustic panels and other value-added products, the minister said.

He said a meeting of large builders, theater owners and contractors will be convened and they will be requested to use coir products for such purposes.

Besides this, Chennithala also urged everyone to buy at least one coir product this Onam so that the harvest festival marks the beginning of the coir industry's recovery.

He said that one coir product in every home during this Onam should be the message that people should give to the workers of the coir industry.

He urged that other than mats or handicrafts, people should also consider buying modern coir mattresses that are conducive to quality and health care as well as extremely attractive value-added products that can be used in interiors of homes.

The minister requested everyone's full support and participation in the efforts of the Coir Department.