PANJIM: Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar has sought Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s intervention to ask neighbouring Karnataka to declare ten kilometers of area around the Mhadei and Bhimgad wildlife sanctuaries as eco-sensitive zone.
Parsekar also requested the Prime Minister to allow Additional Solicitor General of India Atamaram Nadkarni to appear on behalf of the State before the Mhadei Water Dispute Tribunal.
In a letter to the Prime Minister on July 18, Parsekar requested that directions be issued to the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) to ensure declaration of at least ten kilometers of eco-sensitive zone in and around Mhadei wildlife sanctuary on Karnataka side including in Bhimgad sanctuary where River Mhadei originates.
“Also I wish to point out that permission granted to
Nadkarni to represent State of Goa is in larger public and national interest and the outburst of the disgraced and disgruntled elements ought to be simply ignored,” the Chief Minister wrote.
Parsekar pointed out that the monsoon flowing river Mhadei, passing through four wildlife sanctuaries and which is a life line of Goa is sought to be diverted and destroyed completely. “I wish to draw your kind attention to the ongoing massive destruction of Western Ghats by Karnataka and massive Environment
Protection Act and Wildlife Protection Act,” he stated.
Referring to the recent outburst by Karnataka politicians including MP Pralhad Joshi, the Chief Minister said that the Prime Minister’s Office has already granted permission to Nadkarni to appear for the State before the MWDT.
“Despite such permission having been granted, politicians like Joshi, to throw tantrums in the name of morality and ethics and to target a lawyer appearing for the State is highly uncalled,” he stated.
