Through the implementation of strategic initiatives like the National Technical Textiles Mission (NTTM), India is strengthening its position as a global leader

Through strategic initiatives like the National Technical Textiles Mission (NTTM) and state-level investments, India is strengthening its position as a global leader in technical textiles with the aim of promoting innovation, increasing exports, and generating employment opportunities.

India's Technical Textiles Statistics:

Global Position: With a 3.9% market share, India is the sixth-largest textile exporter in the world. Exports include, for example, industrial textiles, automobiles, and healthcare products.

GDP Contribution: Technical textiles are making a growing contribution to India's textile sector, which contributes around 2% of the country's GDP.

Growth Forecasts: By 2030, the Indian textile industry is expected to generate USD 350 billion and possibly 3.5 million jobs.

Government Investment: ₹1,480 crore has been allotted to the NTTM for the 2020–2026 period; ₹517 crore has been disbursed and ₹393.39 crore has been used thus far.

Research and Development Initiatives: To promote the creation of novel materials and commercial applications, 168 R&D projects totaling ₹509 crore have been authorized under the NTTM.

Technical textiles' prospects in the Indian economy

Broad Industrial Use: Technical textiles improve functionality in a variety of industries, including healthcare, construction, automotive, defense, and agriculture. For instance, agro-textiles increase agricultural yields, while geotextiles are used in road construction.

Job Creation: More than 50,000 professionals in specialized textile applications are anticipated to be trained and employed by this industry.

Export Enhancement: To meet international demand and investigate new markets, a specialized export promotion council is established.

Support for Startups: Programs such as GREAT offer up to ₹50 lakh in funding to help startups in their early stages of development. Eicher Goodearth's Mahina, India's first bonded period underwear, serves as an illustration.

Promotion of Made in India: In keeping with the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative, a lot of focus is placed on encouraging domestic innovation and manufacturing.

With strategic initiatives like the National Technical Textiles Mission (NTTM) and state-level investments, India is establishing itself as a global leader in technical textiles with the aim of promoting innovation, boosting exports, and creating jobs.

Important Information on Indian Technical Textiles:

Global Position: With a 3.9% market share, India is the sixth-largest exporter of textiles worldwide. Exports, for instance, comprise sectors

Illegal Light Fishing: Despite current regulations, automated boats use bright LED lights to attract fish, which causes a drop in young fish populations. Traditional fishermen's livelihoods are being negatively impacted by the widespread violations that are occurring in Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh, for example.

Coastal Erosion: Human activities like sand mining and increasing sea levels are causing shorelines to erode more quickly. For instance, over the previous thirty years, the coastline of Dakshina Kannada in Karnataka has decreased by 48.4%.

Pollution: Water quality is declining and marine ecosystems are being choked by the presence of plastic waste and industrial discharges. Versova Beach in Mumbai is one example, where significant cleanup work has been done to restore its ecosystems.

Habitat Destruction: Natural barriers against storms are weakened when mangroves and wetlands are cleared for infrastructure development. For example, urbanization has caused Mumbai's mangrove cover to decline by 40% since 1987.

Weak Enforcement: Illegal fishing and building operations can thrive unchecked due to a lack of monitoring. For example, the Adani port in Kerala experienced infractions of the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) regulations as a result of insufficient supervision.

The Way Ahead:

Strict Enforcement: Enhanced Coast Guard patrols and the use of AI drones can aid in the detection of illicit activity. For instance, light fishing has decreased as a result of Kerala's campaign to crack down on boats that have LED lights.

Eco-Friendly Infrastructure: Stabilizing eroding coastlines can be achieved by replenishing sand and building artificial reefs. For example, erosion in Puducherry has decreased by 30% as a result of submerged breakwaters.

Community Involvement: Promoting sustainable fishing methods requires involving local fishermen in conservation initiatives. In Tamil Nadu, for instance, fisher unions keep a close eye on and fight against illicit trawling.

Climate Adaptation: It is essential to move high-risk coastal communities to safer inland locations. For example, Odisha has built homes that can withstand cyclones for its most vulnerable citizens.

Research & Funding: More scientific studies on coastal erosion are required, as is funding for the restoration of mangroves. For instance, to locate erosion hotspots, the National Centre for Coastal Research (NCCR) uses satellite mapping.

In summary:

India's coastal areas are vital to the country's ecological balance, economic stability, and cultural legacy, but overfishing, pollution, and erosion are threatening them. Adopting sustainable policies, encouraging community involvement, and enforcing stronger enforcement measures are essential to protecting these ecosystems for coming generations.