Indore: Devastated by the rising input costs and falling demands, the manufacturers of leather toys in Indore are now trying to get a product certification for their goods in order to save their sinking industry.

“The rising cost of leather has increased our input costs by 30 to 40% in the last four months which is hampering the production,” Treasurer, Indore Leather Toys Manufacturers’ Association Sanjay Arya told DNA.

Claiming that inferior quality of leather used by certain manufacturers was causing significant damage to those dealing in pure leather goods, Arya said that the association was planning to obtain an area specific product certification from the central government.

Secretary of the association, Pannalal Panpure too sounded concerned and dejected. “The demands are sinking, so is this unique industry,” said Panpure adding the industry was in serious jeopardy and initiatives like product certification were the need of the hour.

The association has already submitted a proposal for certification to Marketing and Service Extension Centre (Handicrafts) of the union textile ministry.

Indore is believed to be the only place in the world where leather toys are manufactured. The industry has been running here since 1960 and almost 70 % of the toys manufactured here are exported to Europe and USA.

However, the financial meltdown in Europe, the US and other regions in the last couple of years has spelled doom for the industry, which is already battling spiraling inflation on domestic front.