Team Herald
PANJIM: Notwithstanding the dismissal of Mhadei petition by the National Green Tribunal (NGT), Goa Forward Party (GFP) has now approached the Ministry of Environment & Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC) demanding withdrawal of environmental clearance granted to Kalasa Bhandura project.
The 7-page letter by GFP president Vijai Sardesai has accused Karnataka of misleading the authorities with its claim that the proposed project is for drinking purpose. “Karnataka has ambitious plans with regard to the diversion of the River Mhadei, which is known to be the lifeline of Goa. This interference is a naturally flowing interstate river by Karnataka of creating an artificial channel which amounts to changing the natural course of a river would have devastating effects on the flora and fauna of the ecologically sensitive region, that is, the Western Ghats and the same has been firmly disputed by Goa,” reads an extract of the letter to MoEFCC Secretary.
“Hence, the matter was referred to adjudication before the Mhadei Water Disputes Tribunal in 2011. During the adjudication, a witness of Karnataka categorically stated which has been recorded by the Tribunal that the water sought for diversion from Mhadei basin into Malaprabha basin was to be used for drinking and irrigation purposes. Therefore it is clear that the alleged drinking water requirement which is contended by Karnataka is a falsely concocted plan and the trans-basin diversion is meant for irrigation needs and not for drinking purpose as alleged by Karnataka. The proposed project thus attracts provisions of EIA notification 2006,” he further stated.
Citing Mhadei as Goa’s lifeline, Sardesai has demanded to either withdraw the approval granted to Karnataka or keep in abeyance until the Centre-formed committee reviews the project. “If the impugned letter is not withdrawn or kept in abeyance until the committee reviews the proposed project, serious hardship and prejudice will be caused to Goa and the dependents of Mhadei River,” he explained.
“In the present scenario, it is the future of Goa which is at stake as its very lifeline is being impeded by Karnataka. The legislations and policies entrusted with the MoEF to execute are promising. The same are hardly corresponding in its actions of promising a State to undertake a massive project of this scale on an inter-state river in the Western Ghats without an EIA,” Sardesai said.
