Collecting Animal Skins In Kasur,
The leather hub of Pakistan, involves a systematic process carried out by the leather industry supply chain, from slaughterhouses to tanneries. Here's a detailed explanation of how animal skins are collected in Kasur:
🐄 Step-by-Step Process of Collecting Animal Skins in Kasur
1. Sourcing from Slaughterhouses
Primary Source:
The majority of animal skins (especially cow, buffalo, goat, and sheep) are collected from local slaughterhouses, especially during Eid-ul-Adha, when skin collection surges.
Animal Types:
Cow, buffalo, goat, and sheep skins are most common.
Government-supervised Slaughterhouses are involved in skin handling for hygiene and traceability.
2. Field Collection by Middlemen and Dealers
Skin Dealers/Agents:
Local middlemen purchase fresh hides from slaughter points or collect from households post-slaughter (especially during Eid).
These agents have a network of collectors who transport raw hides using carts, rickshaws, or trucks.
Proper handling:
To prevent damage, skins are carefully folded flesh-side in, avoiding exposure to sun and dust.
3. Preservation of Raw Skins
Because Kasur is a hot and humid area, raw hides begin decaying quickly.
Skins are preserved using salt (salting process):
Raw hides are spread out.
Salt (usually non-iodized) is applied on the flesh side.
This prevents bacterial growth and extends the skin’s shelf life.
4. Transport to Tanneries
After preservation, the skins are loaded onto trucks and transported to Kasur’s tanneries.
Kasur has over 200 tanneries, and most are located in the Kasur Tanneries Zone (KTZ).
5. Sorting and Grading
Upon arrival at the tannery:
Skins are sorted by type, size, and quality.
Defective or decomposed skins are discarded or used for low-grade leather.
6. Entry into the Tanning Process
Now preserved and sorted, the skins are ready for tanning—the process that turns them into durable leather.
Tanning involves steps like soaking, liming, fleshing, tanning, and drying.
🌿 Environmental and Ethical Considerations
Pollution control:
Kasur has faced criticism for tannery waste; the Kasur Tanneries Waste Management Agency (KTWMA) has been set up to handle this.
Sustainable practices:
Modern tanneries are increasingly adopting eco-friendly techniques to reduce water and chemical usage.
🧑🤝🧑 Stakeholders Involved in the Skin Collection Process
1. Butchers and Slaughterhouse Workers
They are the initial handlers of animal skins during the slaughtering process.
Proper skinning is crucial to avoid cuts or holes, which lower the value of the hide.
2. Skin Collectors & Local Middlemen
These individuals travel to:
Slaughterhouses
Animal markets
Villages and cities, especially during Eid-ul-Adha.
They purchase or collect skins, often using small vans or donkey carts.
3. Leather Merchants and Brokers
They buy in bulk from collectors and sell directly to tanneries.
Some merchants operate temporary skin collection centers during peak seasons.
📅 Seasonal Impact on Skin Collection
Eid-ul-Adha (Biggest Boost)
During this festival, millions of animals are sacrificed across Pakistan.
Religious and welfare organizations collect skins to raise funds.
Kasur sees a massive influx of hides, processed rapidly by dealers and tanneries.
Winter Season
Fewer skins are collected due to lower meat consumption.
However, quality of hides improves due to better preservation in cold weather.
🧂 Advanced Preservation Techniques
Besides simple salting, other methods include:
1. Wet Salting
Common in Kasur.
Hides are heavily salted and stacked in a cool environment for 15–30 days.
2. Dry Salting
The skin is dried under shade after salting.
Less effective in Kasur’s humid climate.
3. Chilling or Refrigeration (Rare)
Not commonly used due to cost limitations in small-scale setups.
Some high-end exporters do use refrigerated preservation.
⚠️ Challenges in the Skin Collection System
1. Improper Skinning
Knives or rough techniques often cause surface damage, reducing the value.
2. Lack of Preservation Awareness
In villages, many people are unaware of proper preservation, leading to spoilage.
3. Environmental Pollution
Waste from skin salting (like blood, saltwater, fat) can pollute local water sources if not managed properly.
4. Price Fluctuations
Global leather prices affect how many skins are collected and the profit margin for middlemen.
💼 Economic Importance of Skin Collection in Kasur
The leather industry provides employment to over 25,000 people in Kasur.
Export-quality leather from Kasur is sent to Italy, Germany, China, and Turkey.
Raw hide and skin collection is the first step in this economic chain.
📦 Post-Collection Handling
After the skins are delivered to tanneries:
Cleaning: Any remaining flesh or fat is removed.
Chemical Treatment: Skins are soaked in lime, enzymes, and tanning agents.
Drying and Finishing: Final leather is dyed, polished, and finished for export or domestic use.
🏭 Infrastructure Support in Kasur
Kasur Tanneries Waste Management Agency (KTWMA) was formed to:
Treat tannery wastewater.
Reduce air and soil pollution.
Improve working conditions.
Leather Schools/Training Institutes offer skill development to workers and skin handlers.
The collection of animal skins in Kasur, Pakistan’s renowned leather hub, is a foundational step in the region’s leather production chain. It begins with the slaughtering of animals and moves through a network of butchers, collectors, middlemen, and merchants who ensure that raw hides are preserved, transported, and delivered to local tanneries.
Kasur’s industry thrives due to its well-established practices in salting, handling, and sorting skins, which are later processed into high-quality leather products for both domestic use and international export. Seasonal events like Eid-ul-Adha significantly boost the volume of skin collection, contributing heavily to the local economy.
However, challenges such as improper preservation, environmental pollution, and lack of awareness continue to affect efficiency and sustainability. To address this, initiatives like the Kasur Tanneries Waste Management Agency (KTWMA) and leather training programs are paving the way for a cleaner, more modern leather industry.
In conclusion, the skin collection process in Kasur represents a blend of traditional practices and evolving industrial standards, playing a vital role in Pakistan's leather sector and offering employment to thousands while contributing to the country's exports and economy.
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