Tanneries here have been asked by the authorities to stop leather cleaning three days before people take the holy dip in the Ganga during the Magh Mela to keep the river clean for the pilgrims.
A meeting was held with the tannery association and tannery owners and it was decided that leather cleaning process will remain suspended three days before the days marked for the holy dip, officials of the Regional Pollution Control Board said.
This will ensure that harmful chemicals do not enter the Ganga and the river is clean for the pilgrims, they said.
In accordance with the order, in view of the Makarsankranti festival, cleaning of leather will not take place in the tanneries from January 11 to 14. Similarly, no cleaning of leather will take place from January 27 to 30 for Mauni Avasya, they said.
Also, in view of of Basant Panchami on February 14, the tanneries would not carry out the cleaning work from February 11 to 13, they said.
The tannery owners have been informed that if they carry out the cleaning process on the given dates, strict action would be taken against them. They said.
There are around 350 tanneries functioning in the region and around 20,000 people are employed in these tanneries. PTI
The Magh Mela will start on January 14.
