Kanpur's environmental story is bound up with the Ganga and the leather industry. Tanneries in Jajmau, on the river's bank, and in the clusters around Unnao, produce leather for domestic and export markets, and generate effluent containing chromium, salts and organic matter. In 1987, in M.C. Mehta v Union of India, the Supreme Court ordered the closure of Kanpur tanneries that had not set up primary treatment plants, in one of the founding cases of Indian environmental law. Since then, tanneries have been linked to common effluent treatment plants, subjected to repeated inspections and closures, and directed to stop operations during major religious gatherings on the Ganga downstream.
The region also carries a legacy of chromium-bearing waste dumped years ago in areas of Kanpur Dehat, which contaminated groundwater in nearby villages and led to NGT directions on remediation. With the Contaminated Sites Rules, 2025, such legacy sites now have a formal framework. We serve Kanpur clients through online consultation and appearance on brief. This page sets out the issues we see most often.
हिंदी में सारांश
कानपुर की पर्यावरणीय कहानी गंगा और चमड़ा उद्योग से जुड़ी है। जाजमऊ और उन्नाव के टेनरी क्लस्टर का अपशिष्ट क्रोमियम, नमक और जैविक पदार्थ वाला होता है। 1987 में सुप्रीम कोर्ट ने एम.सी. मेहता मामले में बिना प्राथमिक ट्रीटमेंट वाली कानपुर टेनरियों को बंद करने का आदेश दिया था। तब से CETP, निरीक्षण, बंदी और गंगा पर बड़े धार्मिक आयोजनों के दौरान संचालन रोकने के निर्देश आम हैं। कानपुर देहात में पुराने क्रोमियम कचरे से भूजल दूषित होने पर NGT ने निर्देश दिए हैं।
Is this your situation?
- Your Jajmau or Unnao tannery received a closure direction
- Your tannery's CETP membership or effluent quality is questioned
- You have been directed to stop operations during a mela period
- Your unit faces action over chromium sludge or solid waste
- Your land is near a legacy chromium dump
- You need UPPCB consent or renewal in Kanpur
- An NGT order affects your sector or area
Kanpur at a glance
UPPCB Kanpur
The regional office, with offices for Unnao and nearby districts.
Tanneries
Jajmau and Unnao clusters with chromium-bearing effluent.
CETPs
Common treatment for tannery effluent, with capacity and performance issues.
The Ganga
Discharge restrictions and closures during religious gatherings.
Legacy waste
Chromium-contaminated sites in Kanpur Dehat.
Outside NCR
CAQM directions do not apply, but state and NGT directions do.
Tanneries and the CETP
Tanneries in Jajmau and the Unnao clusters are expected to carry out primary treatment and chrome recovery at their own premises and send effluent to a common effluent treatment plant meeting standards before discharge. The CETP's capacity, its performance, and the limits on how much effluent each member can send have been continuing problems, and boards have at times restricted tannery operations or the number of drums allowed to operate to match the CETP's capacity. Tanneries that exceed their allotted share, bypass the CETP, or fail to run chrome recovery face closure.
When a tannery receives a notice, the key documents are its consent, CETP membership and allocation, chrome recovery records, flow meter data and test results. Where restrictions are imposed across the cluster, individual tanneries can still show that they comply and seek permission to operate within limits.
Mela closures and Ganga directions
During major religious gatherings on the Ganga downstream, such as the Kumbh and Magh Mela at Prayagraj, the state government and the board have directed tanneries and other polluting industries in Kanpur and Unnao to stop operations or discharges for set periods, to protect water quality for bathers. These directions have been upheld and enforced, and tanneries operating in breach have been sealed. Tanneries should plan production, export orders and labour around these periods, and keep records of compliance. Where a direction appears to go beyond what is needed, or is extended without reason, legal remedies may be considered, but compliance during the period is essential.
Chromium waste and contaminated land
Years ago, chromium-bearing waste from chemical processing was dumped in parts of Kanpur Dehat, and chromium leached into groundwater, affecting drinking water in nearby villages. The NGT has directed authorities to identify responsible parties, provide safe drinking water and remediate the sites. Under the Environment Protection (Management of Contaminated Sites) Rules, 2025, notified in July 2025, suspected contaminated sites are to be reported, assessed within set timelines and remediated on the polluter pays principle, with the central and state governments sharing costs where the polluter cannot be found or cannot pay.
Tanneries and chemical units in the region should ensure that their chrome sludge and other hazardous waste go only to authorised facilities with manifests. Buyers of land near legacy sites should check its history. See environmental due diligence.
How we help Kanpur clients
Review documents online
Consent, CETP allocation, records and notices.
Advise on the response
Reply, corrective action and revocation.
Draft applications and replies
For the UPPCB and other authorities.
Appear on brief
Before the board, appellate authority or courts as needed.
Coordinate NGT matters
With our network for Tribunal proceedings.
Plan for restrictions
Mela periods and CETP limits.
Other Kanpur industries
Kanpur also has chemical, fertiliser, textile, food processing, engineering and plastics units, and power stations nearby. These deal with the UPPCB for consent, hazardous waste and groundwater under the UP Ground Water Act, 2019. Kanpur is outside NCR, so CAQM's directions do not apply, but the state's own air quality action plans for non-attainment cities and the board's directions do. Units should not assume that rules are relaxed outside NCR; Kanpur has been among the cities covered by national clean air programmes.
Time and typical cost
Our fees are agreed in writing at the start, stage by stage. They are not linked to the outcome.
| Stage | Usual time | What it involves |
|---|---|---|
| Online review | 2 to 5 days | Our fee |
| Reply to notice | Within the time stated | Our fee |
| Revocation application | Days to weeks | Inspection; possible conditions |
| Appearance on brief | As scheduled | Our fee and travel |
| NGT coordination | As needed | Our fee |
Kanpur sectors and common issues
| Sector | Common issues |
|---|---|
| Tanneries in Jajmau | CETP allocation, chrome recovery, closures, mela restrictions |
| Unnao tannery clusters | Effluent, CETP, consent, hazardous sludge |
| Chemical units | Hazardous waste, legacy contamination, consent |
| Textiles and food processing | Effluent, groundwater, consent |
| Engineering and plastics | Category, consent, waste |
| Power and fertiliser | Emissions, ash, effluent, EC compliance |
Documents usually needed
Unit
- Consent and authorisations
- CETP membership and allocation
Operations
- Chrome recovery and flow records
- Test results
- Hazardous waste manifests
Enforcement
- Notices and directions
- NGT orders affecting the sector
Laws that apply
Consents and directions administered by the UPPCB.
Supreme Court orders on Kanpur tanneries.
Assessment and remediation of contaminated sites.
Groundwater registration and NOCs.
How we work
We are a litigation and advisory practice led by Advocate BK Singh, with offices in Dwarka (New Delhi) and Vaishali (Ghaziabad). This is what you can expect:
- Online first: quick review of documents and notices.
- Tannery experience: CETP, chrome recovery and closures.
- Appearance on brief: where hearings need attendance.
- NGT coordination: through our network.
- Written fee terms: agreed stage by stage, never linked to the outcome.
Mistakes we see in Kanpur
- Exceeding CETP allocation during peak orders
- Operating during mela restriction periods
- Sending chrome sludge to unauthorised buyers
- Buying land near legacy dumps without checks
- Assuming non-NCR status means relaxed rules
A Jajmau tannery's revocation
Here's a made-up example. A Jajmau tannery was closed after its flow meter showed discharge above its CETP allocation.
We advised the tannery to reduce operating drums to match its allocation, repair its chrome recovery unit and install a tamper-proof meter. The revocation application with these records led to reopening within three weeks, under conditions.
A mela period direction
Here's a second made-up example. An Unnao tannery exporter faced a direction to stop operations for a mela period that clashed with an export order.
We advised that compliance was required, and helped the exporter rearrange production before the period, inform its buyer under the contract's regulatory clause, and keep records showing no discharge during the period.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you serve Kanpur?
Yes, through online consultation and appearance on brief.
Which regulator handles Kanpur units?
The UPPCB regional office for Kanpur, with offices for nearby districts.
What was the 1987 Kanpur tanneries case?
M.C. Mehta v Union of India, in which the Supreme Court ordered closure of tanneries without primary treatment.
Must tanneries use the CETP?
Generally yes, after primary treatment and chrome recovery.
Why are tanneries closed during melas?
To protect Ganga water quality for bathers downstream.
What are the 2025 contaminated sites rules?
Rules for identifying and remediating contaminated sites on the polluter pays principle.
Do NCR rules apply in Kanpur?
No, but state and NGT directions do.
Can a tannery get its closure revoked?
Yes, on showing compliance, often with conditions.
Is chrome sludge hazardous waste?
Yes, it must go to authorised facilities.
Who regulates groundwater in Kanpur?
The UP state system under the 2019 Act.
Where are NGT cases from Kanpur heard?
At the Principal Bench in New Delhi.
Can you attend hearings in Kanpur?
Yes, on brief.
Kanpur Matter?
Send us your notice and documents. We will review them online and advise.
This page gives general information about environmental law as it stood when it was last reviewed. It is not legal advice on your case and does not promise any result. Environmental rules, EPR targets, GRAP measures and board procedures change often, so check the current position for your unit or project before acting.
Need help with Environmental Lawyer for Kanpur's Tanneries and Industries?
Send us the notice, the order or a few photos. We'll tell you where you stand, which authority or NGT bench deals with it and when the next step is due, in plain words.
