Shimla: Leather shoes are to be barred from government schools in Himachal Pradesh because they are not environment friendly.

"We plan to exclude leather shoes from the uniform in all government schools as these are not environment friendly. Moreover, these are made by slaughtering animals," Director (Higher Education) O.P. Sharma told the sources.

He said tennis shoes would take the place of leather shoes.

"Our department has written to all school principals to get their feedback," Sharma said.

Himachal Pradesh has over 15,000 primary and higher secondary government schools with a strength of around 10 lakh students. IANS