The government has taken steps to prevent rawhide smuggling in areas along the country's border, Industries Secretary Zakia Sultana has said.

“Already the government has fixed the prices of rawhides in Dhaka and outside the capital, and it has strengthened vigilance in areas along the border to prevent rawhide smuggling,” she told reporters after visiting the tannery industrial area at Bangladesh Small and Cottage Industries Corporation (BSCIC) on Wednesday.

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This year, as many as 97 to 98 lakh animals will be sacrificed across the country during Eid-ul-Azha, the Secretary said.

Already 1.21 crore rawhides have been prepared and the same will be processed at Central Effluent Treatment Plant (CETP) in Savar, said Zakia.

"The ministry has taken steps to keep the Dhaleshwari river and its adjacent areas along the tannery industry area free from pollution," she added.