To promote organic cotton cultivation in India, the government Maharashtra is setting up a first-of-its-kind specialty textile park in the state.
Announcing the decision, Textile Minister Chandrakant Patil, said, "The government of Maharashtra is committed to promoting eco-friendly textile products. We will erect special textile parks for the creation of eco-friendly textiles and the government of Maharashtra will lend special support for establishing such industries."
Increasing use of Bt cotton has reduced cultivation of organic cotton, which is considered eco-friendly.
According to reports, cultivation of Bt cotton has covered over 95 per cent of overall acreage in India and Maharashtra is no exception.
The minister also appealed to fashion designing students to conduct more and more research with a view to maximum implementation of such eco-friendly initiatives to promote use of 'recycle, reuse and reduce' of products.
In this park, however, garment manufacturers using organic cotton as raw material will be allowed to set up a manufacturing facility.