Raxaul, March 13: Residents can now breathe easy.

The Parsa (Birganj) administration in Nepal on Thursday ordered an end to garbage dumping in and around Sariswa river flowing between Nepal and India. This would ensure not only the health of the river but of residents on both sides of the border.

The order also directed officials of Birganj Municipal Corporation to remove the existing garbage with a week. The move by the neighbouring country came after several initiatives were taken by some social organisations at Raxaul in the first week of March.

The president of the Sariswa Nadi Bachao Andolan Committee, Anil Sinha, has been protesting against the Parsa district administration for allegedly disposing waste in the river for the past several years.

Sinha has also organised dharnas and protest marches in this regard.

He had also sent a letter in this regard to Prime minister Narendra Modi and copies to his Nepalese counterpart Sushil Kumar Koirala.

"The bordering population of nearly 10 lakh in both India and Nepal is affected by river pollution. However, assurance given by the district magistrate of Parsa, Hem Nath Dewari, has given hope to the people," said Sinha.

Copies of the letter expressing resentment by Raxaul residents were also sent to the Indian ambassador in Nepal, Ranjeet Ray, and to the Indian consulate general in Birganj.

The Telegraph, in its March 9 edition, had carried a report titled "Fear over Sariswa pollution".

The river originates in Nepal and flows for about 15km southwards before entering India near Raxaul. From there it travels nearly 20km to meet Burhi Gandak near Sugauli in East Champaran. The river ultimately reaches the Ganga.