- Tuesday, 3 November 2026
Kathmandu, Nov 3: The campaign to clean and control pollution in the Sirsiya River in Birgunj has been intensified targeting the Chhath festival.
Under the active initiative of the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies, priority has been given to cleaning the Sirsiya River, controlling industrial pollution, and environmental conservation. Instructions have been given to the concerned industries to end the problem of chemical-laden effluents and untreated polluted water from industries directly joining the river.
The government, concerned government bodies, and local levels have become active to make the river clean and create an environment where devotees can offer puja and arghya rituals in a clean environment during the Chhath festival. The Department of Industry had on October 31 instructed industries not to discharge untreated wastewater into the river, stating that joint monitoring and inspection will be conducted.
Similarly, on November 1, a meeting of all parties and stakeholders chaired by Chief District Officer Bhola Dahal made a five-point decision for pollution control and waste management in the Sirsiya River. The meeting instructed industries in the industrial area to operate their wastewater treatment centres 24 hours a day at full capacity and not to discharge untreated chemical-laden water into the river.
The meeting also prioritized studying the feasibility of establishing a common wastewater treatment centre for small and medium-sized industries, arranging an alternative outlet to prevent municipal sewage from mixing into the river, and establishing a conservation fund with the participation of all three tiers of government for the long-term conservation of the river.
Action against 12 polluting industries The government had previously taken action against industries for controlling Sirsiya River pollution. According to public details on Shrawan 5, after testing the wastewater of industries around the river, it was confirmed that 12 industries had violated environmental standards, and a decision was made to fine them Rs 1 million each, totaling Rs 12 million.
The government’s recent initiative aims to make the Sirsiya River pollution-free in the long term, not just limited to the Chhath festival. For this, emphasis has been placed on regular monitoring of industries, effective operation of wastewater treatment systems, and continuation of legal action against those who violate standards.
It has been observed that continuous monitoring and implementation are necessary to make the government’s campaign effective in the long term, which aims to create an environment where devotees can offer arghya in a clean river during the Chhath festival, preserve the natural existence of the Sirsiya River, and protect the public health of the surrounding citizens. — rss
