As part of the progressive front we met Union Minister Prakash Javadekar last year in the presence of the CM Pramod Sawant and he then proceeded to lie through his teeth promising that Goa’s interest with the Mhadei would never be compromised and today this man has done a volte-face on the entire issue and is now dodging the issue. During the lockdown, the Karnataka government defied the stay order, broke the seal and diverted water into the Malaprabha river. We want to question the CM if this continues eventually the whole river will be diverted and we will suffer. Karnataka can bully the centre because of their27 seats whereas we send just 2. We want serious action on the part of the government and ensure this diversion is stopped and the status quo of the Supreme Court maintained- Prajal Sakhardande Associate Professor
Presently it is in the Supreme Court and will be heard on October 26 with the representatives of Goa, Maharashtra and Karnataka being present. It is the duty of the Govt of Goa to present their case in a strong manner and they should take the help of experts to plead their case. The government has stated that Goa is an eco- fragile state and the water is required to maintain the salinity in the water. This is important for fisheries and various other industries to survive. Goa has to present its case without using emotion but present hard fact– Rajendra Kerkar Environmentalist
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The BJP is clearly supporting Karnataka because it is a much large vote bank and the number of seats to parliament is so much more than Goa. Remember the letter Parrikar wrote to Yedurappa (Karnataka CM) saying he would release water for drinking purposes just before the elections. Goa’s interests can be sacrificed because we only have two seats and the state government is incompetent. The state has to hope the Supreme Court will give the order to reverse all the work done on the river. Union Environment Javdekar claimed it was subjudice but CM Pramod Sawant has been speaking. What is happening is very shifty. Goa will suffer permanent damage- Claude Alvares Environmentalist
Politically they have much more in stake than Goa. Karnataka has more clout at the centre. No one will listen to Goa. To make matters worse the government has been very lethargic in following up the matter. This is visible in Mahdei and Mollem. There seems to be no long term strategy. These are major watering holes for the people residing in the area. It has to be protected, it is very worrying– Mohan Kumar Living heritage foundation.
The CM said he will fight and will do everything and we have to take his word. Water is paramount for Goa be it for business or farming or any sector of the economy. We should try and safeguard and support. We cannot modify the flow of water without causing significant damage. We have to safeguard water security. This can affect the future of this state– Alex carpenter, Agonda based sustainable and eco-tourism champion
It is something that Goa cannot agree at any cost. From 1999 I have been following this and we made a mistake by going to the tribunal which always favours sharing. We should have said no from the very first day. This, of course, is my personal view. Karnataka has played around and gone ahead and constructed creating more problems. The state has not been forthcoming and information which ought to have been released by them was released by Rajendra Kerkar. Makes you wonder are we really serious about this issue. We all stand to lose– Parag Rangnekar, Ecologist, State Co-ordinator of the Indian Bird Conservation Network (IBCN)
