India's tanneries face extinction threat with new pollution norms

Record ID: 1627185

  • Title: India's tanneries face extinction threat with new pollution norms
  • Date: 17th July 2021
  • Summary: KANPUR, UTTAR PRADESH, INDIA (JULY 16, 2021) (ANI - NO USE INDIA) GANGES RIVER RIVER FLOWING AS LEATHER FACTORY IS SEEN IN BACKDROP BOATS AT RIVER BANK VARIOUS OF PEOPLE INSIDE FACTORY WORKING AND MACHINES AT WORK (SOUNDBITE) (Hindi) SECRETARY, JAJMAU TANNERY INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION, MOHAMMAD HANEEF, SAYING: "Pollution and water supply department comes with a new law and new protocols every now and then. They are hell bent on shutting down the industry. In the past two-to-three years, the country has been trying to encourage industries but they have made such laws to ensure that they kill this tannery industry." VARIOUS OF PEOPLE WORKING INSIDE FACTORY (SOUNDBITE) (Hindi) LEATHER TRADER, ARSI, SAYING: "As compared to the past, we don't even have 10 percent of our business left. All the contracts are going to other countries because the buyers, the foreigner wants his order to be completed in a proper time frame, which is not possible because of constant interference related to protocols. Even if we manage to get the orders, new pollution laws are so unpredictable and change so frequently that we are not able to complete the work on time. Sometimes our customers also have some commitments further in their business. Who can compensate such delays and losses, when we have to shut our factories to comply with new norms?" VARIOUS OF PEOPLE WORKING INSIDE FACTORY
  • Embargoed: 31st July 2021 07:38
  • Keywords: COVID-19 India Kanpur Tannery coronavirus export industry pollution river water
  • Location: KANPUR, UTTAR PRADESH, INDIA
  • City: KANPUR, UTTAR PRADESH, INDIA
  • Country: India
  • Topics: Asia / Pacific,Society/Social Issues
  • Reuters ID: LVA001EM89MXB
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: The tanneries industry of India's northern Uttar Pradesh state is in deep crisis and on the verge of extinction because of unpredictable and frequently changing pollution-related laws.
    Kanpur, a city based in the country's most populous state on the banks of Ganges river bears high cost in terms of environmental damage and the health of workers and local residents.
    This prompted the state authorities, mainly the pollution control board to change the laws and course of action on disposal of the toxic wastewater from the tanneries.
    "Even if we manage to get the orders, new pollution laws are so unpredictable and change so frequently that we are not able to complete the work on time," said a leather trader, Arsi on Friday (July 16), while talking about the industry on the verge of shutdown.
    The city that used to have more than 400 tanneries, is now limited to less than 150 tanneries which are only allowed to work for 15 days in a month with 50 percent staff capacity.
    Toxic chemicals and acidic effluents are used in the process of tanning of leather. When the wastewater is discharged without treatment it pollutes the soil and contaminates water sources, including the mighty Ganges.
    Kanpur used to be referred to as "the Manchester of the East" and "Leather City" because of its unique textile and leather industry. Kanpur accounts for approximately Rs 6,000 crore ($60 billion) of leather exports from the country, most of those orders are shifting to neighbouring Bangladesh.
  • Copyright Holder: ANI (India)
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