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Short term solution

The shutting of the tanneries in east Kolkata has spawned a financial crisis for the workers. In a fire-fighting measure, officials of the Central Leather Research Institute (CLRI) and Union industry ministry recently met functionaries of the West Bengal government and city tanners to frame a "cleaner production strategy' that would sustain the industry till the shifting was effected.

The CLRI is preparing a proposal for a "quantitative reduction in the pollution load' generated by the tanneries. Its main objectives are:

Reducing the salt used in the tanning process

Substituting the synthetic tanning agents with ecofriendly chemicals

Using an economical, mobile chrome-recovery technology

Recycling water on a large scale

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