Himal Press 
KATHMANDU: Minister for Industry, Commerce and Supplies Gauri Kumari has given industries a one-week ultimatum to stop discharging waste and pollutants into the Sirsiya River.
During a meeting with promoters of industries located along the river at the ministry on Monday, Minister Yadav directed them to manage industrial waste within their own premises. She warned that inspection teams would take strict action as per the existing laws if necessary measures were not taken within the stipulated timeframe.
Yadav said pollution in the Sirsiya River, which is considered a lifeline for Birgunj, Sirsiya, Tajpur, Ramgadhwa, Ramwan, Ashok Batika and Bindabasini in Parsa, and Siraha in Biraha, among dozens of other villages, had affected local residents. She added that dozens of industries operating along the Simara-Birgunj corridor had severely polluted the river by violating environmental protection laws.
“The direct discharge of contaminated water into the river has seriously affected livestock, wildlife and the daily lives and health of millions of people living in the area,” she said.
Yadav said the ministry had taken the issue seriously, as no improvement had been seen despite repeated warnings from the concerned government agencies and continued complaints from local residents.
She also urged industrialists to take immediate corrective measures on their part to revive the Sirsiya River.
