Residents of Rainadevi Chhahara Rural Municipality-2 Somadi Sardewa have appealed to the National Human Rights Commission, saying that the pollution from the industry has made it uncomfortable to live in the village.

They have drawn attention to the Commission's Lumbini Province Office in Butwal, saying that the environmental pollution caused by the CG Cement industry has made it uncomfortable to live in the village. They have been complaining for years that they have been suffering from dust and fumes because of the CG Cement company. 'We have had a lot of problems while operating a large crusher plant for crushing stones,' said victim Padampani Pokharel, 'Recently, we have had problems staying at home.'

He said that he had reached out to the district administration and then the National Human Rights Commission for help after he had difficulty breathing. ‘Recently, dust has reached the bed,’ he said, ‘It has become unbearable, that is why we had to approach the Human Rights Commission to complain.’ The industry is located next to settlements, schools, and temples. He said that the dust and smoke emanating from the industry are affecting us day and night. Pokharel, who is also the chairman of the CG Victims’ Struggle Committee, repeatedly appealed to the local government and political parties, but after no solution was found, he approached the administration and the Human Rights Commission.

When the industry was established, the local residents facilitated the establishment of the industry by providing arable land. The memorandum submitted by the locals states that they welcomed the industry with the expectation of job creation, economic development, and infrastructure expansion. However, the locals allege that the industry is operating activities against environmental standards without implementing the written and verbal agreements and commitments made with the local residents during the operation of the industry.

The memorandum submitted to the commission states, ‘There are problems with livestock, agricultural production has declined, and drinking water, grass and the environment have been polluted.’ In addition, the education of students studying in schools has also been adversely affected.’

Locals allege that the risk of accidents has increased as large freight vehicles related to the industry run at high speeds and carry heavy loads. The memorandum states that during the rainy season, tippers carrying heavy loads have caused serious problems in the movement of locals.

Local Keshav Pokharel said that the industry has not made the approved EIA report public and has not implemented the pollution control standards mentioned in the EIA in practice.

Locals have demanded necessary instructions from the commission to conduct on-site monitoring and impartial investigation in the affected areas, conduct an independent technical study of the environmental, health and social impacts of the industry, and ensure the right of locals to live in a clean environment.

250 families here have been struggling with the issue of dust since three years ago. They complain that none of the CG Cement industry, administration, political parties, or public representatives have taken their demands seriously. CG Cement Industries Palpa Pvt. Ltd. (CG Palpa) was opened in Somadi Sardewa, Palpa in 2011. This company under the CG Group has a daily clinker production capacity of 2,950 tons. This factory has been fully operational since September 2023. A factory capable of grinding 1,000 tons per day is also in the process of operating here.

Locals say that the residents of Jogithum, Karechoor, Bhati of Ribdikot Rural Municipality-1, Somadi, Sardeva, Chatradi, Bhutkhola, Bhotani of Rainadevi Chhahara Rural Municipality-2, and Siddeshwor of Ward No. 1 have been directly affected.