Kathmandu. KATHMANDU: Minister for Industry, Commerce and Supplies, Gauri Kumari Yadav, has warned of stern action if the industries operating along the Sirsiya River corridor are found polluting the rivers and streams by discharging waste water against the standard.

“Serious attention has been drawn to widespread complaints, complaints and media reports that industries in the Sirsiya River corridor are dumping wastewater into the river without treatment,” the ministry said in a statement.

The Ministry has reminded that as per the prevailing industrial and environmental laws, the waste water treatment system should be installed and operated while registering industries, capacity expansion and approval of the environmental study report. The Department of Industries has already directed the industries concerned to effectively implement the pollution abatement measures under the approved environment management plan and to treat and dispose of wastewater only as determined by the Government of Nepal.

Stating that polluting rivers and streams was a matter of serious concern even from the point of view of basic human health, Minister Yadav said those violating environmental standards would not be spared under any circumstances. The Ministry has urged all the industries to operate their industries only after fully abiding by the prevailing industrial and environmental laws and standards.

“Stern action will be taken by the Department of Industry and other concerned bodies as per the existing law if the industries are found not fully complying with the industrial and environmental standards,” said a press release signed by Netra Prasad Subedi, spokesperson of the ministry.