Read the passage below carefully:
For centuries, the traditional tanneries of Kano have formed a cornerstone of Northern Nigeria's craft economy, utilizing vegetable tanning techniques passed down through generations. Using natural extracts from the pods of the Bagaruwa tree (Acacia nilotica), local artisans process goat and sheep hides into soft, highly durable leather renowned worldwide. Unlike modern industrial tanneries that rely heavily on toxic chromium salts—which contaminate nearby waterways and pose severe health risks to workers—Kano's vegetable-based method remains environmentally sustainable and biodegradable. Furthermore, this artisanal industry sustains thousands of local households by creating an interconnected economic network linking livestock farmers, pod gatherers, tanners, and leather crafters. However, despite growing global demand for eco-friendly leather products, the sector faces severe threats from unguided urbanization, rising raw material costs, and competition from cheap synthetic imports. Preserving Kano's traditional tanning heritage is therefore not merely a matter of cultural preservation, but a viable blueprint for sustainable local economic development.
Which of the following best expresses the main idea of the passage?
- Kano's traditional vegetable tanning industry is an eco-friendly and socio-economically vital craft that offers a model for sustainable development despite contemporary challenges.Answer
- BNatural extracts derived from the pods of the Bagaruwa tree enable Kano artisans to produce durable leather without using toxic chemicals.
- CModern industrial tanneries pollute local waterways and threaten public health by using toxic chromium salts in leather processing.
- DGlobal demand for synthetic leather has completely displaced traditional craft economies across Northern Nigeria.