Himalayan News Service

Nawalparasi, February 2:

Increasing level of pollution in the Narayani, caused by rapid pace of urbanisation and industrialisation, has threatened aquatic life in the river.

Hazardous chemicals, which are disposed of in the river by big industries in Nawalparasi, are to blame for the surge in pollution.

According to the Royal Chitwan National Park, a quality test of river water conducted by

French environmental scientists has warned that pollution will lead to the extinction of aquatic life. The test was conducted between the Narayani bridge and Triveni on the Indo-Nepal border. While water on the upper part of the bridge was less polluted, pollution was above the desired level downstream, thanks to the practice of disposing of industrial waste by the Bhrikuti Pulp and Paper Industries, Gorkha Brewery, Sumi Distillery and Shree Distillery.

“Hazardous chemicals can be seen floating on the surface,” a source at the park said. “Fishes and alligators living in such waters will die eventually,” Shyam Bajimaya, an ecologist at the National Park and Wildlife Conservation Department, said.

Net used for catching fishes can even trap the alligators.

Chemicals have injured fishes and alligators. According to Shiva Raj Bhatta, the head conservation officer of the park, of the 300 alligators, which were released sometime back into the river, only 70 are alive.