A multidimensional programme has been initiated aimed at combating with intensive threats of pollution caused by the establishment of ill-planned tanneries in and around Sialkot. Under the programme 40 percent pollution load had been controlled in tanneries functioning in Sialkot and its adjoining areas by opting cleaner production technologies. Official sources told Business Recorder here on Tuesday that under the programme demonstrative "Chrome Recovery" plant with the active financial support and technical assistance of Norway government had been set up at Sambrial-Wazirabad road.
The step had been taken for the recovery of chrome from tanneries and for its reuse in tanning process. This system would be supportive in combating with pollution caused the chrome used in tanning process in tanneries.
The cleaner production centre (CPC) had already been set up at Sialkot with the co-funding of export promotion bureau and government of Norway under the management of Pakistan Gloves Manufacturers and Exporters Association (PGMEA) to help leather sector especially leather and leather made-ups manufacturers of Sialkot to overcome the environmental problems.
The Norwegian government had provided 12.5 million Krone as grant while federal government has provided Rs 23.3 million for the completion of cleaner production centre (CPC) at Sialkot.
The Sialkot based leather industry has gained momentum in past couple of decades and more than 500 leather and leather products manufacturing units are working in the area, of which most of the units were related to leather manufacturing, leather garments, gloves and other leather made products.
The major objectives of cleaner production centre (CPC) are to reduce the pollution at source, conserve natural resources and environment and introduce cleaner production strategies in the industry that are environmentally sound and economically sustainable.
The adoption of cleaner production techniques are necessarily required to escape from severe degradation of environment for attaining the National Environmental Quality Standard (NEQS) and to keep running the tanning business.
The main task of cleaner production centre is to extend help to the leather sector of Sialkot especially small and medium leather manufacturing units to create a suitable working environment enabling the industry to work for achieving National Environment Quality Standard (NEQS), which are achievable through in-house improvements and introduction of pollution prevention techniques, good house keeping and occupational health and safety practices.
The cleaner production centre (CPC) was providing guidance to individual tanners on cleaner production practices through the improvement of tanning process, creating awareness about hazardous chemicals and minimising of waste at source. In order to ensure social compliance essentially demanded by foreign buyers under WTO the studies on child labour and gender issues in leather industry have also been undertaken under the project, sources added.