(BSS) - Bangladesh Ansar and Village Defence Party (VDP) has launched a special initiative to preserve sacrificial animal hides during Eid-ul-Azha to protect national resources and strengthen the country’s leather industry as around 50 to 55 percent of the country’s annual rawhide is collected during this session.

Officials said the value of sacrificial hides is closely linked with orphanages, madrassas and charitable institutions but improper collection and preservation often lead to severe damage to the hides, causing losses to both the national economy and charitable organizations.

To ensure the maximum utilization of rawhides, volunteer VDP members actively participated in the collection, preservation and management of sacrificial hides at the grassroots level.

A total of 4,153 VDP volunteers from 29 districts under Khulna, Rangpur, Mymensingh and Rajshahi ranges received special training on proper skinning techniques, cleaning, salting, folding, preservation and transportation of hides.

Earlier, they were trained by district and upazila livestock officials.

On Eid day, trained volunteers remained present at sacrificial sites to assist people in properly removing skins without causing cuts or damage. They also advised residents to keep hides in shaded places, clean off blood and fat, and apply the required amount of salt to maintain quality.

VDP members also assisted in transporting hides quickly to storage points and tanneries, helping maintain quality and ensuring security during collection.