Action Plan

Improving environmental preparedness of Indian tannery sector:

             Leather sector has been included among red categories of Highly polluting industries on account of the potential environmental impact of tannery wastes. Since 1996, the Indian tannery sector has increased its environmental preparedness. All the Tanneries in Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu are now connected to pollution control devices. In Calcutta, the problem is being addressed comprehensively with the industry undergoing relocation into a new leather city.  

Constitution of a working group as a proactive measure:

             The Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India has recognized the need for gaining environmental security of the leather sector. In order to develop a holistic action plan for prevention and control of pollution in tanneries, the Ministry has formed a working group under the chairmanship of Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) . The working group held meetings with leaders in the industry and visited some industrial tannery sites in Tamil Nadu.

 Compliance to wastewater treatment norms by tanneries: In Tamil Nadu

             Working group has considered primarily the current status of tannery sector in India and documented some best environmental practices in the prevention and control of pollution. 

The Tanning industry in Tamil Nadu has gained confidence and commitment to comply with norms. 

              Complying with Total Dissolved Solid norms has been found difficult by the tannery sector. Technology gaps with respect to cost effective treatment of total dissolved solids (TDS) and utilization of some solid wastes have been identified. 

Various management options for protecting the community from problems arising out of TDS discharge have been considered. Working group has discussed TDS related issues comprehensively and recognized the need for region specific solutions.

                         Need for technological up gradation of the tannery sector on an all India basis has been recognized.   

With the Financial assistance of the Central Government Ambur - Vaniyambadi Project is on . The Project involves setting up a network of advanced waste water recycling and other effluent treatment Infrastructure to help the units in and around Ambur and vaniyambadi Clusters.

The Modern MBR-RO (Membrane Bio Reactor - Reverse Osmosis) Technology is being used for the First time in the leather sector in India.