Vaniyambadi residents ‘seize’ trucks laden with leather waste

Residents blocked trucks that were carrying leather wastes from tanneries to dump them in open plots and water bodies in the outskirts of the town. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

Residents in Vaniyambadi town near Tirupattur blocked trucks that were carrying leather waste from tanneries to allegedly dump them in open plots and water bodies in the outskirts of the town.

Residents said that illegal dumping of leather wastes especially hides from tanneries in open plots and water bodies, especially in Kallar and Chinna Palar rivers, key tributaries of Palar, has polluted the groundwater table. These open plots have become breeding grounds for mosquitos, posing health risks to residents including senior citizens and children.

“Most of such illegal dumping occurs during mid-night to evade notice of residents and social activists in the area. Lack of routine patrol by local police also makes such lorry drivers make frequent trips to open lands to dump wastes,” said Mohammed Arif, a resident.

On Thursday, residents noticed leather waste laden trucks near the town on Chennai - Bengaluru Highway (NH 44). Immediately, they blocked the movement of vehicles, which was heading to a nearby lake in the area. Residents also informed Vaniyambadi Town police, who rushed to the spot, and checked the vehicles. Police found leather wastes, mainly hides.

Initial inquiry revealed that eight trucks were coming from private tanneries in Ambur to dump leather wastes in open lands and near water bodies in the area. Truck drivers told police that illegal dumping of waste has been done for many months mainly due to lack of adequate treatment facilities in tanneries, especially micro-level companies. As a result, around Rs 6,000 - Rs 8,000 has been charged to dispose of such leather wastes in open plots and water bodies during night.

Residents said that Vaniyambadi town is surrounded by farming villages where cultivation is done at least three seasons in a year. Borewells were laid by the civic body in farming villages and waterbodies to meet growing water needs of residents in Vaniyambadi municipality limits. Such illegal dumping of leather wastes has contaminated the groundwater table and affected farming activities in the region.

Police pacified agitated residents, who dispersed peacefully. Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) officials said that special teams will be formed to monitor safe disposal of wastes by tanneries in the region.

TNPCB officials said that at present, the leather-making region covers Ranipet, Walajah, Vellore, Ambur and Vaniyambadi. More than 700 tanneries are located in the region, with Vaniyambadi alone accounting for around 40% of the total number.

Most of the tanneries are thermal energy-based factories, emitting greenhouse gases. Thermal energy accounts for around 55% of the total energy consumption for leather-making. Wastes from smaller units were usually dumped in open lands and water bodies illegally as they cannot afford the expenses that incur for recycling leather wastes.

Published - June 19, 2025 08:03 pm IST