021-i. Advice on ToR: EIA for tannery development strategy Sialkot - Pakistan

The NCEA advised on Terms of Reference (ToR) for an EIA for a tannery sector development strategy in Sialkot. It focused on a comparison of alternative strategies, since this is essential to identify an option that is supported by the tanneries.

Advisory reports and other documents

Significant details

Urged by increasingly strict rules for emissions and pollution in productive industries, the Pakistan Tanners Association (PTA) initiated a strategy for tannery industry development in Sialkot. The aim of this strategy is to relocate the tanneries in the area from a residential area to a site outside town. This would reduce the effects of pollution caused by tanneries and thereby improve the health of residents. The choice for a specific strategy depends to a large extent on the willingness of tanners to cooperate.

For development of this strategy, an EIA was required. The NCEA was asked to advise on Terms of Reference (ToR) for this EIA. Some of the NCEA's main conclusions in its advice were:

• An inventory must be made, for each individual tannery, of present conditions and expected future conditions in terms of capacity, raw materials, processes, emissions, etcetera;
• Four strategies must be compared for environmental impacts, ranging from a no intervention option to an option including relocation, better technologies, and treatment facilities;
• If it appears realistic, a fifth strategy should be elaborated in which not only tanneries but also other leather-related industries are relocated;
• The alternatives must be evaluated and compared by use of clearly defined criteria.

In addition, the advice distinguishes a number of main economic aspects which should be elaborated. Apart from these main issues, more specific conclusions and recommendations are provided.

Parties involved

Members of the working group

Chair: Jan-Willem Kroon
Technical secretary: Reinoud Post

Proponent and Component Authority

Further details

Country: Pakistan

Last modified: 10 May 2019