India’s Central Leather Research Institute (CLRI) has been given the CSIR Award for S&T Innovations for Rural Development, presented by Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh. The award is in recognition of its contributions for designing, developing and delivering effectively several critical technologies that positively impact the livelihood of a large number of people engaged in the Indian leather sector.

Nearly 1.4 million people in the country are engaged directly in the rural leather sector and the Institute has designed and developed several new technologies to improve conditions. These include new methods for recovery and fuller utilisation of carcasses of fallen animals in villages, improved vegetable tanning and standardised production of open type ethnic footwear (Kohlapuri).