Subsequently, tanneries started spreading over a wider area south of the river and Kot Molvi, Abdul Qadir Niaz Nagar and Yonus Nagar agglomerations were gradually developed. With its 170 tanneries, Kasur is the biggest tanning concentration in number in the country. The map giving the general layout of the tannery clusters in Kasur is given in Annex I.

According to data provided by the Tanneries Association Dingarb, Kasur, the average daily input of all tanneries in Kasur is estimated to be over 190 tons of wet salted weight, comprising some 8,000 hides (cattle, buffaloes), and between 12,000 and 15,000 skins (sheep and goats) per day.

The small-scale units mainly produce hides and/or skins up to the wet-blue stage only, as they do not have the facilities for the finishing of leather. They sell the semi-processed leather to tanneries in Karachi, Sialkot and other places, where the leather is finished for various end uses. Some of the small and medium-sized tanneries also produce vegetable tanned leather for sole leather and for other purposes.

The traditional pattern has been well preserved: except for 3-5 larger and mechanized tanneries with a more or less industrial way of production, the other tanneries are small, family owned units, employing up to ten workers. Traditional family owned tanneries typical of Kasur are very basic. Most operations are still carried out with very limited use of machines and equipment. Chrome tanning has, to a great extent, replaced the slow vegetable tanning process but the ancient bag-tanning method can still be seen. Some tanners still prepare their own chrome liquors from dichromate under poorly controlled conditions. Due to the unavailability of water supply that is encouraged by its econon3ic incentives, all the tanneries are presently using the underground water for their tanning activities.

Most of medium-sized tanneries finish their chrome-tanned leather using only water based coatings and hand-spraying techniques. The largest tannery has fully automated spraying units (two) for the finishing of the leathers produced and several of the other larger tanneries are in the process of installing automated spraying units as well.

In contrast to the export oriented tanners of the Korangi industrial zone of Karachi, who operate large, well equipped factories, Kasur has remained a hide processing centre, mostly catering to the needs of the local, low-price bracket leather footwear manufacturers. Profit margins are low and access to capital and potential for modernization is limited. Many will find it difficult to survive in the increasingly competitive environment.

In view of its proximity to the large market of Lahore and the availability of leather and cheap labor in Kasur, it is somewhat surprising that no downstream manufacturing units (footwear, leather goods) have been established in Kasur itself, they remain within the Lahore area.

Sanitary conditions both within and outside tanneries are bad by any standard: few units are kept tidy. However, possibly due to the UNDP/UNIDO preparatory assistance project, an increasing awareness of the negative impact of tannery operations on the environment has been created among members of the tanning community.

Little attention is given to occupational health standards, protection from exposure to harmful chemicals and to safety at the work place.

The well organized Tanneries Association Dingarh, Kasur is the main driving force behind endeavor to catch up with more advanced tanners in the country and, in particular, to resolve the problem of treatment and discharge of tannery effluent which, sooner or later is bound to paralyze the tanning operations in Kasur.