One doesn't know what will become of the estimated four million raw hides and skins that will require to be preserved. The Ministry of Commerce has apparently paved the way for 0.5 million metric tonnes of salt to be imported but there is concern that it may not arrive in time.

The High Court issues arrest warrant against three Hazaribagh tannery owners for not moving their factories to Savar and not appearing before court despite a summons order.

Yet another deadline has gone by, but not a single tannery has been relocated from the capital's Hazaribagh to the Savar Tannery Industrial Estate. In fact, the government itself has not been able to fully install the Central Effluent Treatment Plant (CETP). Proper treatment of toxic waste discharged by the tanneries was described as a key objective of the whole relocation move.

Nearly 15 years ago, the High Court had ordered the government to relocate around 200 tanneries from the city’s Hajaribag to save the Buriganga river and the environment.

The High Court summons the industries secretary to appear before it on May 19 for not relocating tannery industries from Hazaribagh in the capital in line with its directive.