SIALKOT, March 25: Tanneries are wreaking havoc in the district as no practical steps have yet been taken by the federal, provincial and district governments to control environment pollution.

More than 264 small and medium sized tanneries have been set up in the district and more units are expected to be established in the near future. Most of the tanneries are located in the thickly populated areas in Sialkot, Sambrial and Daska. They discharge their untreated water into seasonal nullahs, sewerage and open agricultural lands which cause environmental degradation and contaminate the underground water. The most alarming thing is that the underground water in Sialkot, Daska and Sambrial tehsils is being rendered unsuitable for humans and irrigation.

It is learnt that around 350,000 square feet of finished leather is being processed per day by these tanneries. About four litres of water is used in manufacturing a square foot of leather from hides and skins and two litres of water for each square foot in the processing of finished wet-blue leather. Thus the total water being discharged from tanneries is estimated at 1.1 million litres per day. They are pumping this water into the seasonal nullahs Aik, Bhed and Palkhu.

The tanneries and leather manufacturing units along Sialkot-Sambrial Road are at the top of the list of environment polluters as there is no proper outlet for disposal of poisonous chemical water and it has assumed the shape of a pond. This water not only gives out offensive smell but also poses threat to the lives of the people of the area, their animals and plants.

If no steps were taken immediately, the pollution during the next 10 years would increase to a dangerous level.

Sialkot is known the world over as sports goods and surgical instruments producing city. But during the last several years, the production and export of leather goods has also grown rapidly. The large scale setting up of tanneries has enlarged the scope of employment for the unemployed educated and skilled people at local level. At the same time, the industry is creating health hazards for the people living in the vicinity of tanneries.

Meanwhile, traders, industrialists and exporters have urged the government for the early launch of tanneries zone project. Trade bodies, including the Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI), have demanded immediate installation of water treatment plants in Sialkot as has been done in Kasur.

In a representation to the federal, provincial and district governments, they said Sialkot has more tanneries than Kasur or Karachi an it needed special attention. “The government on one hand is spending a huge amount on advertisement in the media to caution public about the environment pollution while closing its eyes on the environmental pollution hazard being caused by the tanneries.”