Development work on mega project of Sialkot Tanneries Zone (STZ) is picking pace and 80 percent development of roads had so far been completed in the zone. Official sources told Business Recorder on Wednesday that STZ was being developed on 392 acres costing Rs 406 million.
Sialkot is recognised as one of the leading exporters of leather based products in Pakistan. The tanneries around the city were involved in processing of finished leather and "Wet Blue" hides and there tanneries are resulting in degradation of environment through air, noise and water pollution. At present 276 tanneries operates in 10 clusters around Sialkot and caters the industrial needs.
The concept of setting up of STZ was to address environmental issues and to ensure pollution-free atmosphere to the people. The project would help in shifting of tanneries located in and around city to centralised location and to provide various facilities like common effluent treatment plant, solid waste disposal site and common effluent collection system.
This would help in effective control of environmental hazards caused by tanning industry in the region. It is very important project ensuring compliance towards social responsibility and would be instrumental in systematic growth of this sector while addressing the environmental concerns to minimise the pollution. It may be added that Global Environment Facility (GEF) had also approved US 3.7 million dollars for the project "Mainstreaming Climate Change Adoption through Water Resource Management in Sialkot Tannery Zone Development.
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