Slow progress in tannery transfer
Despite the government's repeated ultimatums to relocate all the tanneries operating in the capital's Hazaribagh area, the transfer process remains sluggish. The latest deadline ended on March 31, 2017. But so far, only 35 percent of tanneries have been shifted to the Savar Tannery Estate, informed the Industries Minister to Parliament on Sunday.
Numerous articles, reports and studies have been published over a decade about the disastrous impact of operating tanneries at Hazaribagh. The Buriganga River is being seriously polluted due to the discharge of highly toxic untreated chemical waste from tanneries into its waters. In 2016 alone, these tannery factories produced every day about 21,600 cubic metres of environmentally hazardous liquid containing chemicals, a large amount of which directly went into the River. As long as the government fails to make the tanners abide by the relocation order, the pollution of the Capital's lifeline goes on.
On the other hand, it is alleged that the Savar Tannery Estate is not fully equipped for running tanneries. It is reported that the Central Effluent Treatment Plant (CETP) of the industrial complex is yet to be completed. Hence, the tanners fear of losing production due to relocation. There is also apprehension that inadequate pollution control measures would seriously damage the Dhaleshwari River in Savar.
We cannot emphasise enough that the authority should expedite the transfer process. It should fully equip the Savar Tannery Estate so that the leather industry does not suffer from the shifting process. Adequate measures also need to be taken to protect the surrounding environment, particularly the Dhaleshwari River, from the hazards of tannery wastes.
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