Shillong, Oct 13: The People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) India have awarded a ‘Progressive Business Concept Award’ to Meghalaya’s Forests and Environment Minister James Sangma in recognition of his plans to help local farmers by encouraging vegan pineapple-leather production – a move that will also protect animals and the environment.
This recognition belongs to the State and the citizens especially young entrepreneurs who can help us accelerate our journey towards sustainability and explore more such innovative ideas to bring us at the forefront of engineering climate action and strong environment leadership.
— James K Sangma (@JamesSangma1) October 13, 2021
Also, PETA has taken note of Meghalaya’s plans to open a climate change museum and introduce climate change into school curricula.
“Minister Sangma has rightly identified the climate crisis as ‘a defining challenge of our times’, and he’s already taking steps to address one of the biggest culprits: animal agriculture,” says PETA India Senior Campaigns Coordinator Radhika Suryavanshi. “PETA India looks forward to seeing Meghalaya create new opportunities for farmers while helping to save the planet and animals’ lives through a thriving pineapple-leather industry.”
Animal agriculture and use of Chromium
According to the United Nations, animal agriculture – which includes animals killed for clothing – is responsible for nearly a fifth of human-induced greenhouse-gas emissions. To keep the skins of cows, buffaloes, and other animals used for leather from rotting, tanneries use a variety of caustic, toxic chemicals, which pollute waterways. One of the most widely used chemicals in the tanning process is chromium, which can cause cancer in workers exposed to it.
The leather industry also causes animal suffering on a massive scale. Cattle used for leather in India are often crammed into vehicles in such large numbers that their bones break. Those who survive the gruelling journey to the slaughterhouse endure agonizing deaths: their throats are cut in full view of other animals, and many are dismembered while they’re still conscious.
