Leather Export of Pakistan
The Pakistan Leather Industry (LEATHER)
About TED Categories and Clusters
CASE NUMBER: 309 CASE MNEMONIC: LEATHER CASE NAME: Pakistan's Leather Industry
A IDENTIFICATION
1. The Issue The rampant discharge of untreated effluents tanneries is a growing problem in Pakistan's leather industry. Pakistani exports of tanned leather is on the increase following a decline of leather production in the developed world due to more stringent environmental controls. The increase of tanneries in Pakistan is causing severe environmental degradation as the untreated effluent used in the tanning process is released into nearby water reservoirs and the sea. In addition, air pollution is on the rise with the tanneries burning residuals (i.e. hair) from the tanning process into the atmosphere. Due to a need for foreign exchange, the national government is encouraging the growth of tanneries by offering these industries export rebates while at the same time lagging on implementing the sparse existing governmental environment regulations in leather tanning. The combination of an increasing demand for the product and a lack of government regulation is exacerbating whatever fragile balance existed between the Pakistani leather trade and the environment.
2. Description
The relationship between the Pakistani leather trade and the environment is being strained by a growing demand for the product in the world and ignorance of environmental problems resulting from the tanning process. A one noted Pakistani news journalist commented, "The tanning industry is notorious for its heavy pollution through effluents containing organic and inorganic matter, dissolved and suspended solids, accompanied by requirements of high oxygenic demand and having toxic metal salt residues...these tanneries discharge effluents without any treatment into water reservoirs and the sea."(1)
About TED Categories and Clusters
CASE NUMBER: 309 CASE MNEMONIC: LEATHER CASE NAME: Pakistan's Leather Industry
A IDENTIFICATION
1. The Issue The rampant discharge of untreated effluents tanneries is a growing problem in Pakistan's leather industry. Pakistani exports of tanned leather is on the increase following a decline of leather production in the developed world due to more stringent environmental controls. The increase of tanneries in Pakistan is causing severe environmental degradation as the untreated effluent used in the tanning process is released into nearby water reservoirs and the sea. In addition, air pollution is on the rise with the tanneries burning residuals (i.e. hair) from the tanning process into the atmosphere. Due to a need for foreign exchange, the national government is encouraging the growth of tanneries by offering these industries export rebates while at the same time lagging on implementing the sparse existing governmental environment regulations in leather tanning. The combination of an increasing demand for the product and a lack of government regulation is exacerbating whatever fragile balance existed between the Pakistani leather trade and the environment.
2. Description
The relationship between the Pakistani leather trade and the environment is being strained by a growing demand for the product in the world and ignorance of environmental problems resulting from the tanning process. A one noted Pakistani news journalist commented, "The tanning industry is notorious for its heavy pollution through effluents containing organic and inorganic matter, dissolved and suspended solids, accompanied by requirements of high oxygenic demand and having toxic metal salt residues...these tanneries discharge effluents without any treatment into water reservoirs and the sea."(1)