(a) whether the Government has taken cognizance of the pollution caused by the chromium compounds used in chrome based tanneries and the poisonous effect of chrome tanned leather and if so, the details thereof;
(b) whether the government plans to ban chrome based tanning and promote other alternate methods and if so, the details thereof; and
(c) if not, the reasons therefor?
???????? ??? ?????? ???????????? (????????? ??????)(??????? ??????? ???????)
THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE)
OF THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY
(SHRIMATI NIRMALA SITHARAMAN)
(a) to (c): Government has taken cognizance of the hazardous effects of chromium. During late 80’s the chromium recovery and re-use has been implemented across the country under the Ganga Action Plan and subsequently the technology has been propagated across the country and made mandatory by the respective Pollution Control Boards. The skin/hide processing including tanning industry requires prior environmental clearance, as per the provisions of Environment Impact Assessment Notification 2006. In addition, the proponent is required to follow the Charter on “Corporate Responsibility for Environmental Protection (CREP)” for tannery sector issued by Central Pollution Control Board. Further, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)–Central Leather Research Institute (CLRI) has developed technologies to address the issue of Chromium at the source itself. Very recently, two important technologies, “Dry Tanning” and “Waterless Chrome Tanning” have been developed by CSIR-CLRI to address the problem at field. The Waterless Chrome Tanning is being popularized in various cluster of the country presently.
*******