Rivers have served as a vital source of water for humanity since the Stone Age. Nepal, anecdotally, has the second largest hydro-potential in the world. Major rivers such as Gandaki, Koshi and Karnali converge with the Ganges of India. Small rivers are also of great importance. Sirisiya is one such river with great importance for both Nepal and India as it flows through the Nepal-India border.Sirisiya originates in Pathlahia hills of dense Ramban forest of Chure range and flows southwards covering both Bara and Parsa before reaching Raxaul, from where if flows further southward and joins the Budhi Gandaki near Sugauli.
This river used to be a source of pure and clean drinking water for people here. People used to bathe and do their washing in this river. It was regarded as a holy river by all. People worshipped and prayed at its banks, apart from performing Chhath prayers here. It had supported both people and marine animals. But due to a great negligence, of both people and the government, the river has become one of the most polluted in Nepal. It has been transformed into a kind of drainage.
In the past, Father Kresto Das and his medical workers used to treat leprosy patients by washing the affected areas of body using pure water of this river. The water of this river was assumed to have healing powers. Father Das was so inspired by this rare quality of the river that he started a leprosy hospital at Raxaul's Sundarpur village (India) near Birgunj. Leprosy patients from nearby areas receive treatment from this hospital even today. And it is known as the best leprosy hospital here.
Dr Anil Kumar Sinha, a PhD in Botany and also a social worker from Raxaul, is worried about the pollution of this river and its environmental impact. He has been raising awareness about cleanliness of this river. He has also submitted a memorandum to both Government of Nepal and Government of India for this. The issue was raised in Indian Parliament and also in Bihar's Assembly for the whole border area was being polluted.
The water of Sirisiya is poisonous now. Even marine animals have succumbed to it. Moreover the vegetables and fruits washed with this water become contaminated and transfer diseases to humans when consumed. It's a shame that we dwell on dirty surroundings, unaware of how we are losing our heritage, culture, civilization and nature to our carelessness.
Industrialists and businessmen are selfish and money-minded. They are least bothered about people's health and environment. The government also does not care.
A Research Committee for Sirisiya was formed in 2010 comprising government officials, human rights activists and social workers. The committee identified some industries as chief pollutants of this river and recommended actions against them. The report also included names of industries and their share of pollution. But nobody has been warned, punished or penalized. Action has not been taken even against a single industrialist.
Industries were told to take necessary precautions and have filtration plants but since doing so would cut their profits, they have defied such orders. People's health and environment are not their concerns. When we raise voice against pollution, industries either ignore our concerns or threaten to bribe government officials so that they sweep the issue under the carpet. As most government officials are corrupt, they do the same.
Our organization Nature Service Foundation Nepal has been working on this issue and spreading awareness for past three years. Also, we have managed to perform a few press conferences on the bank of Sirisiya River. This has helped spread awareness among people. On April 21, 2015, we had submitted a memorandum to the Chief District Office of Parsa with copies of committee's reports and recommendations demanding immediate action.
We informed the Chief District Officer Keshav Prasad Ghimire that his office must take action against wrongdoers within three months. If no action is taken even for three months, we warned, we would drink from Sirisiya and make ourselves sick to protest government inaction. We warned that if our health deteriorated local government officials would be responsible.
Then came the Great Earthquake on April 25. Our attention was drawn to rescue and relief of the earthquake victims. Sirisiya could not become our priority. But after one year of earthquakes and three months of Madhesh agitation we are drawing the government attention for this noble cause once again. The unfinished business of Sirisiya must be taken to logical conclusion.
We have already spoken with environmentalists and nature lovers in and outside the country and they have expressed commitment to help us in this mission. It is the responsibility of all of us to protect and preserve our environment, rivers and heritages. Therefore we appeal all to express solidarity and support for our cause, whoever they are and wherever they are.
The author is founder chairman of Nature Service Foundation, Nepal
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