Kanpur, Dec 08 (ANI): Kanpur has from long been identified with its leather industry and the industry holds a prominent place in the India’s economy. Kanpur’s leather industry is among the top ten foreign exchange earning sectors of India. Kanpur is home to almost 400 tanneries concentrated in the Jajmau suburb. These small tanneries play a crucial role in supporting the economy in ways more than one as they not only bring in foreign exchange, but also offer a means of livelihood for various small time labourers. Despite their economic contribution, concerns regarding Kanpur tanneries polluting the river Ganges have been rife. One of the major pollutants is chromium which is used as a hardening agent in leather production. However, owner of Rehman Tannery, Firoz Aalam rubbishes claims of the tanneries releasing pollutants directly into the Ganges and said that each tannery had a primary water treatment plant in place.
