Company Name : Nepra Environmental Solutions Pvt. Ltd. Source : http://expressbuzz.com/cities/kochi/thinking-clean-and-green/180230.html

Ever heard of sturdy bags made out of water hyacinth leaves? Or colourful and ecofriendly plastic toys and artifacts recycled from old plastic bottles? At the Exhibition of Eco Products and Solutions at the David Hall, Fort Kochi, you can find an array of recycled and eco-friendly products and concepts, a venture of the CGH Earth group of hotels as part of its environment week celebrations. Truly, the group is living up to its ‘clean and green’ image. “We want to provide a platform for such endeavours, a venue for them to showcase the products,” said Johny Paul, manager, David Hall.

Visitors can also have a glimpse of live oysters in seawater and how they are processed here. Along with the environment week, CGH Earth is celebrating an oyster festival with the help of Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) and the Kudumbasree. “Oysters are rich in protein but we are unaware of their health benefits, especially when eaten raw or steamed. They are available in plenty locally but are exported on a large scale,” said Johny. The oysters have been sourced from Sathar Island and cultivated by women’s self-help groups.

Equally interesting are the products from the Kodungalloor-based Kottapuram Integrated Development Society (KIDS) - bags and tablemats from water hyacinth. The leaves are dried and processed to form reeds which are then tied together. Marketed under the name ‘Gaya’, natural fibres used include screwpine, banana, palm leaf, paddy straw and jute. Besides such income-generating activities the society also works actively in natural resource management and tribal development.