Action Plan on Pollution Prevention and Control in Tannery Sector - Executive Summary

Improving environmental preparedness of Indian tannery sector
Leather sector has been included among red categories of industries on account of the potential environmental impact of tannery wastes. Since 1996, the Indian tannery sector has increased its environmental preparedness. Tanneries in Punjab, UP 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. A successful lesson has been-learnt in the tannery sector in Tamil Nadu during the last two years. Waste minimisation in tannery sector has benefited significantly.

Constitution of a working group as a proactive measure
The Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India has recognised 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) with a directive to-submit the report before 30 September 1999. The working group held meetings with leaders in the industry and visited some industrial sites in Tamil Nadu.

Compliance to wastewater treatment norms by tanneries: current status
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 industry in Tamil Nadu has gained confidence and commitment to comply with 30 ppm BOD, 250 ppm COD and: related norms. Tanners in other regions agree to comply with these norms voluntarily in a progressive manner.

Complying.with 2100 ppm TDS norms for surface discharge
Complying with TDS norms has been found difficult by the tannery sector. Technology gaps with respect to cost effective treatment of total dissolved solids (TDS) and utilisation 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 recognised the need for region specific solutions.

Several long term and hard options including relocation of tanneries, industrial zoning, pipeline conveyance of treated wastewater, ensuring the environmental security of high rate transpiration systems (HRTS), safe disposal of salts, membrane separations, cleaner curing practices were discussed. Criteria for choosing relocation as the best option were developed.

Region specific action plans for tannery sector in major states in India
Need for technological upgradation of the tannery sector on an all India basis has been recognised. Scope for implementing waste minimisation circles in Punjab, UP and Calcutta has been identified. Consolidation of outputs in the tannery sector in Tamil Nadu has been felt necessary.

Voluntary environmental compliance by tannery sector
The industry has gained strength, to implement measures for voluntary compliance to pollution control norms. The role of government, agencies, institutions and industry in capacity building for voluntary compliance has been identified.

Knowledge network and experience sharing
The need and benefits of developing a knowledge network in pollution prevention and control in tanneries have been recognised. A wide sharing of experience among tanners would increase the rate of absorption of cleaner technologies in tanneries.

Fiscal incentives and financial schemes
Suitable financing schemes have been considered necessary for constant technological upgradation of the tannery sector with respect to pollution prevention and control. Some needed measures have been recommended.

SPECIFlC ACTIONS

Action 1
Review of reports and documents on the subject of prevention and control of tannery Pollution is necessary. Various recommendations made and perspective solutions suggested earlier are to be integrated into the report of the working group.

Action 2
Cluster specific action plans have been drawn: up by the working group and further developed in consultation with each specific-tannery group targets.

Action 3
Enrollment of tamers into the planned action program is necessary. This enrollment would call for regional workshops-in which planners and policy makers participate and guide.

Action 4
A strategy and action plan would be developed and important recommendations listed would be documented and widely circulated.

Action 5
A five year project mode waste minimisation programme centered at Central Leather Research Institute, Chennai is recommended. _:This centre will have to develop and propagate cleaner production technologies in all functional tanneries in the country.

Action 6
A national movement on cleaner production in tanneries has been recommended.

Action 7
A close audit of all ETPs and CETPs for their operational efficiencies by a technical team has been suggested. Funding schemes for technology upgradation and modemisation of CETPs and ETPs are recommended. Financing to minimise the environmental risk from tannery sector to near zero values is essential.

Action 8
Fiscal incentives for tanneries complying with all environmental norms and qualifying for eco label schemes have been suggested.

Action 9
A secure technology choice and management system for TDS control and disposal of treated wastewater and solid wastes has. Been emphasized.

Action 10
Identified roles of partners in pollution prevention and control need to be played effectively. A coordinating agency for monitoring the progress would be essential. A steering committee under the ministry may be established.