title: Policy framework for formulating environmental management strategy for sustainable development of tanneries in India.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The leather industry is one of the main examples of industries which play an important role in the Indian economy in terms of exports and employment opportunities, while being blamed for environmental pollution. The objective of this study was to find the advances or improvements in the Japanese leather industry which are not found in typical leather industries in developing countries. We examined the Japanese leather industry in this context because Japan is a developed country in which tanning processes have been a traditional business from ancient times, and also the leather industry has played an important role in the process of economic development of Japan.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study was based both on information collected from various areas related to the leather industry or leather industry stakeholders, and also on a review of published information. Information was collected through site visits, interviews, questionnaires, and detailed discussions with these stakeholders, as well as from their websites.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The framework of a typical leather industry is discussed in three sections: pollution prevention, pollution control, and pollution mitigation related to sources, processes, and impact possibilities, respectively. Eleven basic differences were noted between the Japanese and Indian leather industries. The availability of melting centers is the main important feature of the Japanese leather sector.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Guidelines are suggested which focus on some changes that are expected to lead to both environmental and economic benefits, with better pollution management, which should lead to continuous improvement of the environmental performance of the industry, and, finally, sustainable development.
authors: Department of Preventive and Environmental Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, 1-1-1 Honjo, Kumamoto, Japan. k.n.ingle@gmail.com
authors: Kapilkumar N
authors: KN
authors: Ingle
authors: Koichi
authors: K
authors: Harada
authors: Chang Nian
authors: CN
authors: Wei
authors: Keiko
authors: K
authors: Minamoto
authors: Atsushi
authors: A
authors: Ueda
mesh_terms: D003247:Conservation of Natural Resources; D058735:Environmental Policy; D007194:India; D007564:Japan; D013633:Tanning / Q000191:economics / Q000592:standards*; D014877:Water Pollution, Chemical / Q000191:economics / Q000517:prevention & control*