Kathmandu. The Sirsiya River has been polluted by industrial waste for years. Following a directive from Minister for Industry, Commerce and Supplies Gauri Kumari Yadav, the Ministry had given a month’s time to the industries operating near the Sirsiya River to control pollution. However, 10 industries have been taken to task for violating environmental standards.

A team of technicians from the Department of Environment had inspected 21 industries in Bara and Parsa and collected samples of wastewater. The Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies has decided to impose a fine of Rs 1 million each after the laboratory test of these samples confirmed that 10 industries violated the environmental standard set by the government.

Director General of the Department of Industry, Jitendra Basnet, said that the department has written to the bodies concerned to take action against six industries that fall under the jurisdiction of Madhesh Province as per the Environment Conservation Act, 2076.

According to the Ministry, further inspection of industries near the Sirsiya River is yet to be carried out and necessary action will be taken by a joint technical team of the Department of Environment, Department of Industry, industries under the province and local levels.

According to the Ministry, industries failing to pay the fine within the stipulated time will be fined three times as per Clause 35 of the Environment Conservation Act, 2076.

The Sirsiya River is a highly polluted river due to the discharge of chemical-laden wastewater from the industries in the Birgunj-Pathlaiya Industrial Corridor for years. Locals nearby have been facing foul odour, health problems, agricultural disturbances and adverse effects on livestock as well. Locals have long been demanding that the waste water should not be dumped into the river without being treated by the industry.

On the occasion, Minister Yadav directed the government to intensify monitoring of industries across the country like the Sirsiya River and to inspect the polluting industries and impose fine immediately.

Industries that have been prosecuted

Shree Jagdamba Steel Industries Ltd., Bara

Shree Hulas Steel Industries Pvt. Ltd., Bara

Shree Shivshakti Ghee Industries Pvt. Ltd., Bara

Shree Sushil Banaspati Pvt. Ltd., Parsa

Shree Annapurna Vegetable Products, Bara

Shree Ashok Steel Industries Pvt. Ltd., Bara