PETA for non-leather footwear as school uniform

PETA India has written in this regard to Odisha's School and Mass EducationMinister Rabi Narayan Nandaand officials of all other states, urging them to follow suit in the matter.

"This measure would protect animals and the environment and also empower children with the opportunity to be animal- and eco-friendly consumers," PETA India Corporate and Government Affairs Liaison Sarfaraz Syed said.

"Most children naturally care for animals and the environment and prefer wearing more comfortable canvas shoes over leather or other materials, so transitioning to canvas-only shoes for all school uniforms would be a win-win-win situation for all children, animals and the environment," said a PETA India statement.

Also, turning the skins into leather requires massive amounts of toxic chemicals, leading workers and local people to suffer nervous disorders, skin and respiratory infections and even cancer, it said.

Canvas, on the other hand, requires relatively little maintenance compared to other popular shoe materials, including leather, PETA said.