Sand sculpture polar bear to mark Environment Day

Puri, Jun 2 (UNI) A giant sand sculpture ''polar bear'' crushed by a shoe will mark World Environment Day with a signage that reads, ''Your carbon footprints have leather shoes.'' Organised by PETA, the objective of the sculpture is to illustrate the environmental harm caused by the leather industry.

Sudarshan Pattnaik, a Puri-based internationally known sand artiste, will make the 10-ft-tall sand sculpture tomorrow at Puri beach.

PETA through this sculpture will try to draw the attention of the people to the harmful effects of global warming on endangered and dwindling species of polar bear.

The sculpture will go with ''Your carbon footprints have leather shoes'' campaign.

PETA Cmpaign Director N G Jayasimha said leather production was devastating to the environment, human health and the animals.

Leather products were loaded with formaldehyde, coal-tar derivatives, chromium, alkalis, solvents and biocides, which harm human beings and environment and destroy waterways and delicate eco-systems.

Quoting a 2006 report by the United Nations, it said raising animals for food generates more greenhouse gases than all the cars and trucks in the world combined.

Mr Jayasimha said pollution generated by the leather industry was a leading factor in global warming and was endangering polar bear and their habitat. He urged people not to use leather products.

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