The diversion of Mhadei and its tributaries happen then it will have a very severe impact on Goa’s ecology that includes the land and marine life, the hydrology, amongst others.
It is not just a simple matter of river water diversion. It’s an issue of national importance.
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194 villages in six talukas are going to be affected. There will be a massive drinking water shortage.
“43,500 hectares of forest, which is fed by River Mhadei, is going to become a desert. Marine life will be totally disturbed,” he said.
There will be very less fresh water in the Mhadei River and the salinity levels of the Mandovi river will increase. Due to this, the marine species within Goa will be adversely affected.
Fish eaten by Goans like Chonak will go extinct.
The diversion of water will also impact the Mhadei wildlife sanctuary. When the water availability is less, automatically, the green cover will go down and will have a direct bearing on the entire food chain.
The river water brings a lot of alluvial with it when it is flooded during rains. These are deposited on the river banks, which in turn increases the fertility of the soil which will be lost.
The river flows throughout the year, but people get water from it only for four to five months. When it rains, the water percolates into the ground and is used during the non-monsoon months. That will be lost.
