Geography
(i) Why is jute retted?
(ii) Describe briefly the retting of jute with the help of the pictures given below.
Answer
(i) Jute is retted because retting softens the outer bark and facilitates the early removal of the fibre within.
(ii) Retting is the process of rotting the jute stems in order to loosen and separate the fibre from the woody stalk. When the plants mature, they are cut, bundled and submerged in ponds, streams or special tanks of water. After about 20 to 25 days, the bark softens; the fibre is then peeled and stripped from the plant by hand and separated from the pith. The extracted fibre is rinsed and washed thoroughly in clean water, and finally spread out and dried in the sun before being pressed into bales.
Related Questions
In what way is Ganga-Brahmaputra Delta suitable for jute cultivation?
Concretisation was forbidden on the floodplains, but this led to increased dust on tracks whenever walkers or cyclists used them. This caused inconvenience to users and added to environmental dust. To resolve this, Delhi government implemented loosely-knitted jute carpeting on the tracks. The pilot project at Asita Park proved successful, mitigating dust while allowing grass to grow beneath the carpeting, further securing it to the ground. "The use of jute also allowed grass to sprout through the gaps in the carpet, fixing it more strongly to the ground," a DDA official said. "This eco-friendly measure not only benefits the environment but also supports local farmers (Jute farmers)," the official noted.
— Times of India, 28 April, 2025How is jute an important fibre?
Why is mesta an inferior substitute for jute? Where is it grown?
By what other name is jute referred to? Why?