The tanneries in Hazaribagh pollute the air of Dhaka city. As these are located on the bank of the Buriganga, the river has been the disposal point of all liquid effluents since the beginning of the operation of these industries. Tanneries produce both liquid and solid wastes.
According to sources, the tannery units release around 21,000 cubic metres of untreated toxic wastes everyday. That is why the water of the river has turned black. The river water is now totally unhealthy for the survival of the aquatic population. During the rainy season when the river overflows the bank, the polluted water contaminates the surrounding agricultural lands.
Besides, the stagnant effluents in the adjacent ditches of tanneries, the open unmetalled effluents-carrying drains and the solid wastes kept deposited here and there have been threatening the densely-populated residential areas of Hazaribagh for long. As a matter of fact, the environment of whole Hazaribagh and its surrounding areas has completely been degraded.
Realising the hazardous impact of tannery wastes on human beings and environment, the government has taken a project 'Hazaribagh Tannery Relocation Project (HTRP)' to shift the tanneries to a new and eco-friendly tannery estate at Savar. Acquisition of 200 acres of land and the earth filling work and the installation of water and power lines have been completed for this purpose.
Though the High Court has directed relocation of the tannery industries, there is still no progress in this regard despite the deadline of relocation was extended several times. This delay is costing the environment heavily as untreated wastes containing chromium, lead and sulfuric acid are polluting the air, water and soil of Hazaribagh area and the adjoining Buriganga River. The deadline of relocating the tanneries was extended from 2003 till June, 2012 and later till the end of 2014. But a central effluent treatment plant (ETP) has not been set up yet. Furthermore, tanneries will be relocated to the estate just after setting up of the ETP by the next 15 months but hopefully it will be completed within 12 months.
The government has decided to allocate Tk 2.5 billion to the leather factories as compensation of production losses due to the relocation. These factories now export finished leather and leather goods worth around US$ 1 billion. Due to higher value addition, skill workforce and local raw materials, the export earnings of the sector might reach US$ 5 billion soon. So, the rate of value addition in the leather sector is much more necessary now than that of the previous times.
The government should disburse the compensation money to start the relocated leather factories as early as possible. Alongside, it is necessary to ensure adequate accommodation, medical and education facilities for the workers' families at the new tannery city.
Construction of administrative buildings, police outposts, culverts, fire brigade stations, and a pump house in the project area has already been completed. Deep tube-wells, drains, water lines, electricity lines and gas lines have been installed also. Although tannery owners show their eagerness to relocate their industries fast to Savar without delay, they want the compensation to be re-fixed now due to taka's depreciation. Only 25 designs out of total 50 plot winners have been finalised while more than 100 tanners haven't submitted any layout design for setting up factories there.
Actually there is no complicacy at the Industries Ministry but there may be something in other relevant ministries that impede implementation of the tannery relocation process. So, the tanners should start shifting their units to Savar immediately.
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