Green activists Saturday demanded relocation of tanneries from the city's Hazaribagh area to Savar in a bid to save human health and environment from the adverse impact of its toxic wastes, reports UNB.

They made the call at a human chain organised by Paribesh Banchao Andolan (Poba) at Zigatola Bus Stand in the capital.

The environmentalists deplored the fact that the High Court (HC) earlier directed the government to relocate the tanneries from the city to other places, but they are yet to do so.

They said thousands of people living in the area have been exposed to serious health risks due to random disposal of poisonous wastes of the tanneries. This waste is also polluting water of the River Buriganga.

Earlier on February 28, 2010 the HC initially allowed the government six months' time to relocate the existing tanneries in Hazaribagh area of the city to Savar in order to check massive environmental pollution the industry is causing.

On June 23, 2009, the HC upon a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) writ petition filed by Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers' Association (BELA), directed the authorities concerned to take steps to close down tanneries at the city's Hazaribagh within February 2010.

Poba leaders including Hafizur Rahman Moina, Syed Monwar Hossain and Aslam Khan spoke on the occasion.