In response to an appeal from People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, the state government of Punjab, India urges schools to ban leather shoes in favor of canvas to protect leather workers and the environment from toxic chemicals and to save animals' lives.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chandigarh/Punjab-asks-schools-to-ban-leather-shoes/articleshow
/9062033.cms
http://news.in.msn.com/national/article.aspx?cp-documentid=5255968