**Executive Summary**
This document, released by the Ministry of Textiles on February 3, 2024, outlines the government's initiatives to promote eco-friendly textiles and natural dyes, addressing the growing global demand for bio-based clothing. The initiatives aim to support manufacturing and export of organic, new-age, eco-friendly fibers and clothing. It also mentions Bharat Tex 2025, a showcase of organic fibers.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Pilot Project:**
* The Ministry of Textiles is running a pilot project across eight clusters and four fashion houses to eliminate hazardous chemicals from the apparel fashion supply chain.
* It aims to facilitate the processing and production of new-age, eco-friendly, and organic fibers, and generate consumer demand for sustainable clothing.
* **ESG Task Force:**
* An ESG Task Force has been established to address issues related to sustainable production, certification, and exports.
* It enables industry-centric programs focusing on domestic manufacturing and quality certification through platforms like Circular Samvaad.
* **Collaborative Initiatives:**
* The Government is undertaking collaborative initiatives with institutions, including ICAR-CICR and NITRA, for organic production.
* This includes augmenting the supply of quality raw materials, releasing seed varieties of naturally colored cotton, and increasing the production of organic-naturally colored cotton.
* **Promoting Natural Dyes:**
* Under the National Handloom Development Program, financial assistance is provided for promoting natural/vegetable dyes and setting up dye houses.
* Three R&D projects related to natural dyes have been approved under the Research & Development scheme.
* **India Handloom Brand (IHB) Initiative:**
* The IHB initiative brands high-quality handloom products with zero defects and zero environmental impact.
* The Textiles Committee registers products, including those made of natural dyes, under the IHB.
* **Bharat Tex 2025:**
* Bharat Tex 2025 featured a showcase of organic fibers and natural dyes to generate awareness and promote their use.
* **Organic Cultivation Programs:**
* Programs like PKVY and MOVCDNER, implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, promote organic cultivation.
* This includes support for production, processing, certification, and marketing through cluster-based approaches.
**Impact Analysis**
**Ministry of Textiles**
* **Impact:** Spearheads and oversees the implementation of projects and initiatives aimed at promoting eco-friendly textiles and natural dyes.
* **Action Required:** Continue implementing, monitoring, and refining the outlined projects and initiatives to achieve the desired outcomes and address any challenges.
**Textile Manufacturers**
* **Impact:** Encouraged and supported to adopt eco-friendly practices, utilize natural dyes, and produce sustainable textiles.
* **Action Required:** Embrace new technologies, participate in government programs, and adapt production processes to meet the growing demand for eco-friendly products.
**Farmers**
* **Impact:** Benefit from programs promoting organic cultivation and improved access to markets for their produce.
* **Action Required:** Adopt organic farming practices, participate in cluster-based production, and obtain necessary certifications.
**Consumers**
* **Impact:** Gain access to a wider range of eco-friendly and organic textile products.
* **Action Required:** Be informed about the eco-friendly nature of textiles and support sustainable brands and initiatives.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Textiles: Primary entity responsible for implementing policies and initiatives related to eco-friendly textiles and natural dyes.
National Handloom Development Program: Program providing financial assistance for promoting natural/vegetable dyes and setting up dye houses.
India Handloom Brand (IHB) initiative: Initiative for branding high-quality handloom products with zero defects and zero effect on the environment.
Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY): Program promoting organic cultivation through cluster-based approaches.
Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North Eastern Region (MOVCDNER): Program promoting organic cultivation through cluster-based approaches in the North Eastern Region.
Ministry of Textiles
ECO-FRIENDLY TEXTILE AND NATURAL DYES
Posted On: 03 FEB 2026 1:40PM by PIB Delhi
There is a growing global demand and a strong export potential for eco-friendly and bio-based clothing.
The Government is taking a number of steps to promote and support manufacturing and export of organic,
new-age, eco-friendly fibres and clothing:
i. The Ministry of Textiles is implementing a pilot project, across eight clusters and four fashion
houses, titled 'Eliminating Hazardous Chemicals from Apparel Fashion Supply Chain in India’
which inter alia aims to facilitate processing and production of new-age, eco-friendly and organic
fibres as well as generate demand for sustainable clothing through consumer awareness.
ii. The Ministry has also constituted an ESG Task Force which serves as a platform for deliberation on
issues pertaining sustainable production, certification, exports, etc. The Task Force has also enabled
various industry centric programmes which focus on domestic manufacturing, quality certification,
etc. through platforms including Circular Samvaad and Cluster Exchange Mechanism.
iii. The Government has also undertaken a number of collaborative initiatives through institutions
including Indian Council of Agricultural Research - Central Institute for Cotton Research (ICAR-
CICR), North Indian Textile Research Association (NITRA), etc. such as development of practices
for organic production, augmenting supply of quality raw materials including bio-fibres, release of
seed varieties of naturally coloured cotton for commercial cultivation, and augmenting production
of organic-naturally coloured cotton.
With a view to promoting the production and use of natural colours and dyes in garments, the Government
is undertaking a number of initiatives:
i. The Government, under the National Handloom Development Program, through its two
components, namely ‘Mega Cluster Development Programme’ and ‘Need based Special
Infrastructural Projects’ is providing financial assistance for promotion of natural/vegetable dyes
and setting up of Dye houses.
ii. The Government has approved 3 R&D projects relating to natural dyes under the Research &
Development scheme.
iii. The Government has launched India Handloom Brand (IHB) initiative for branding of high quality
handloom products with zero defects and zero effect on the environment. Under IHB, Textiles
Committee, a statutory body under the Ministry of Textiles, registers products including those made
of natural dyes.
iv. In Bharat Tex 2025, a showcase of organic fibres, including milkweed, cotton, etc. along with
natural dyes was made to generate awareness and promote their use.
v. Programmes such as the Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) and the Mission Organic Value
Chain Development for North Eastern Region (MOVCDNER), implemented by the Ministry of
Agriculture and Farmers Welfare through State/UT Governments, promote organic cultivation
through cluster-based approaches, including support for production, processing, certification and
marketing.This information was provided by THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR TEXTILES SHRI PABITRA
MARGHERITA in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.
*****
MAM/VN
(Lok Sabha US Q549)
(Release ID: 2222481) Visitor Counter : 204
Read this release in: Urdu , ही , Telugu