The Central government plans to set up a mega leather cluster in Ramaipur, Kanpur ('Leather city' of India), with 175 tanneries.
Kanpur’s leather industry has declined due to strict pollution control rules, rising waste treatment costs, and reduced availability of hides.
Many tanneries now operate at only 25% capacity, leading to job losses, pay cuts, and financial instability for workers.
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) raised concerns about severe pollution from tanneries contaminating soil and the Ganga river.
Health camps revealed widespread issues among residents, including asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), liver problems, and skin conditions caused by exposure to heavy metals like mercury and chromium.
Tannery shutdowns have been frequent over the past eight years due to environmental violations and during religious events.
The cost of treating tannery waste has sharply increased, making operations less viable for small and medium units.
Trade unions allege factory owners hire workers temporarily to avoid providing benefits like Provident Fund and paid leave.
Labour laws are poorly enforced in the leather and footwear sectors.
Critics link the decline of the industry to political policies, especially affecting Muslim tannery owners and workers.
The U.P. government is working on a new policy to support the leather industry through financial aid, technology upgrades, and export subsidies.
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