Operatius Case Study Competition

Title: Ganga Cleaning Project: Reduction of Chromium level in Ganga water in Kanpur

Background:

River Ganga is the purest and most sacred river in India. It starts its journey from Gomukh, flows through
Rishikesh, Haridwar, Bijnor, Kanpur, Allahabad, Varanasi, Patna, Bhagalpur, Farakka and finally joins Bay
of Bengal. About 40% of the Indian population live near the Ganga river and its tributaries. But the
recent misuse and abuse of the river had become a curse to all the people living by it. Industrial waste,
sewage waste, domestic waste and the holy waste had made the purest river, a dead one. Waters in
some region have excess heavy metals where as others have high fecal coliform which leads to diseases.
Many people have no other choice but to continue living in the region, using and drinking the same
water. The quality of water is changing from good to worse throughout the course of the river.
However, the Industries and the people never stopped their ways of misusing the resource.

Case:

Kanpur is the biggest city of the Uttar Pradesh state and is the main centre of commercial and industrial
activities. Formerly it was known as Manchester of India. Now it is the commercial capital of Uttar
Pradesh.

The City is well known for its leather products. Leather Industry employees more than a lakh people in
Kanpur alone. With this comes the side effects of Leather Industry, namely Leather Tanning process
which makes the leather more durable and less susceptible to decomposition. The main ingredient used
for Tanning is Chromium, one of the heavy metal which is harmful to humans and environment if not
properly handled.

About Leather Industry:

The Indian Leather industry has a huge domestic market and also great potential for exports. Its total
production stands at around USD 11 Billion. The Indian Leather Industry holds a noticeable place in the
Indian economy. This particular sector is known for its consistency in the high export earnings and is also
among the top ten foreign exchange earners for the country. The export market for leather and leather
products have increased over the past decades and touched to around US$ 5.91 billion during 2013-14,
recording a growth rate of about 14.77% in 5 years. Kanpur is the largest centre of the leather industry.

Leather Industry in Kanpur:

Jajmau is also known as Jajesmow, is a district of Kanpur. This is the main and the largest center for the
leather industry in India. Home to some of the largest leather tanneries in the Northern part of India.
The Kanpurs leather and tannery industry contribute to around Rs 6,000 crore worth foreign exchange
for the country and also gives direct livelihood to more than one lakh people.

Effects of Chromium1:

The effects on humans could be Skin rashes, Upset stomachs and ulcers, Respiratory problems, Kidney
and liver damage, Alteration of genetic material and Lung cancer.

In water chromium will absorb on sediment and become immobile. Only a small part of the chromium
that ends up in water will eventually dissolve. Chromium(III) is an essential element for organisms that
can disrupt the sugar metabolism and cause heart conditions, when the daily dose is too low.
Chromium(VI) is mainly toxic to organisms. It can alter genetic materials and cause cancer.

Ref1 Effects of chromium on humans and env - http://www.lenntech.com/periodic/elements/cr.htm

Image courtesy: TOI

What you see in the image above is not the clouds touching the river but the Industrial affluents floating
over the water.
(Image Courtesy: Sean Gallagher) Toxic waste from Leather industry

(Image Courtesy: Ganga Action Parivar) Toxic waste entering river Ganga

Image courtesy: Ajit Vadakayil

Problem:

We have provided the above information to give a context to a real problem. The issue is multi-
dimensional and involve stakeholders in both public and private sectors (Employers, Managers, Owners,
Suppliers, Society, Government, Creditors, Shareholders and Customers). The ultimate objective is To
Reduce the Chromium content in Ganga river water in Kanpur. With this objective in mind, you are
required to identify

1. What Leather Industries must do to reduce affluent discharge into river and how to
implement environmental improvement programs in Leather tanning industries and be still
be profitable?

2. What actions must Government take to reduce pollutants? How should they partner with
Industries to implement regulations?

Note:

1. These solutions might be reviewed by a team from Namami Gange and your inputs might
bring real change, hence we request you to make an in depth study of the situation and
provide solutions which are innovative and implementable.
2. Do follow the instructions below for final presentation:
a. You must choose a TEAM NAME and put it on the front page along with other details
of your team like name, email ID, contact number.
b. Draft your solution in a Power Point format and convert it into a PDF file.
c. The maximum number of slides should not be more than 8 excluding front page,
executive summary, references and appendix.
d. Appendix must be limited to a maximum of 6 slide (if any).
e. Rename the PDF file as <InstituteName_TeamName_OPERATIUS>.
f. Send your final submission by 1st January 2017.

Below link for your reference:

Reference: http://www.gangaaction.org/actions/issues/industrial-waste-management/