Chandigarh:
The Punjab government has urged government schools to ban the
wearing of leather shoes, officials said Friday.
Punjab's Director of Public Instruction (DPI)-Schools, issued the
directive after the state government received an appeal in this
regard from the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA),
an animal rights group.
According to government officials, this step has been taken with a
view to stop atrocities against animals and to save the
environment.
"Leather shoes should be replaced by canvas shoes that are more
comfortable, economical and eco-friendly," said a spokesperson of
the Punjab government.
"Turning the skins of cows, buffaloes, sheep and goats into
leather requires massive amounts of toxic chemicals. People
working in these units are also suffering from various nervous
disorders, skin problems, respiratory infections and cancer,"
Himani Shetty, PETA India's spokesperson, told IANS.
PETA had written a letter to Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh
Badal and DPI (schools) April 26, 2011. Following this, a
memorandum was issued to the schools.
"Now we are confident that more states will follow this initiative
of Punjab and the day is not far when all schools in India will be
leather-free," Shetty said.
Neighbouring Himachal Pradesh has also banned leather shoes as
part of uniform in government schools.
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