The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Hyderabad News : Tanneries shifted: GHMC

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Wednesday, May 06, 2009
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

Tanneries shifted: GHMC

HYDERABAD: The GHMC has ruled out water contamination due to any illegal tanneries running in Bholakpur. It has claimed that all the five tanneries hitherto functioning in the area have been shut down couple of years ago and even the lone bone factory too was closed few months ago.

The units were shut down in the densely populated area after closure notices were issued by the A.P. Pollution Control Board (APPCB). Chief Veterinary Officer P. Venkateshwar Reddy informed that all the tanneries have been relocated and now at least 15 such units were functioning in Bibinagar area of Nalgonda district.

“It is true that the tanneries were causing pollution when they were being operated in the area earlier as many chemicals were being used and the residues used to be let out into the open,” he explained. Nowadays, the locals were procuring skins of from healthy animals culled at the modern abattoir of Chengicherla on the city outskirts.

“There is no chemical processing happening, only salt is being applied to the skins to prevent decomposition before being sent to Tamil Nadu and West Bengal for leather processing, said Dr. Reddy. However, municipal officials accept that the area is not free of any possible pollutants and is noted for frequent outbreaks of fevers and communicable diseases each year.

There are several scrap outlets dealing with iron, plastic and other discarded materials for recycling. These could easily seep into the ground when treated with chemicals or when even washed with water, it is being pointed out.

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Andhra Pradesh