The problem

Tangra lies on the outskirts of Kolkata (formerly Calcutta) and was famous for its leather tanning industry.

A Supreme Court order forced the tanneries to relocate to a self-contained leather-processing complex in the Bantala area. This was in response to public interest litigation filed by environmentalists alleging that pollution from the industries exceeded the state pollution standards.

However some tanneries still exist here to this day despite relocation orders. This region has a very high water table and several wetlands around the old tannery sites. The entire area is about half a dozen city blocks in size.

Current Activity

Site visited by Blacksmith Institute. Analysis of drinking water and groundwater is to be conducted to determine if there is any significant threat to human health. As part of the relocation process the tanneries were required to deposit funds with the Ministry of Environment and Forests to pay for any legacy contamination remediation. These funds could be utilized in case any significant contamination is found.