Team Herald
MARGAO: Fearing huge impact on Goa and the environment, now seafarers’ community too announced its support to the Save Mhadei Movement and appealed to people from all sections to join the movement; keeping aside the political affiliations.
Addressing a press conference at Margao office of Goan Seamen Association of India (GSAI) stated that days are not far away when Goans will be thirsty for water if Mhadei water is diverted.
“The issue of Mhadei is of all and we are firm in joining the movement to save Mhadei. Time has come to keep aside all the political affiliations and join the common movement,” appealed Beny Da Costa, Secretary GSAI.
Gabriel Pinto, Vice-President of GSAI said seafarers’ community condemns the decision of the concerned authority giving approval to Karnataka DPR.
“We want the Central government to scrap the approval given to Karnataka DPR,” he stated.
He informed that right from the formation of GSAI, the main objective of the association was to promote all types of environmental and related activities and preserve the environment, and hence GSAI is taking a step forward in supporting the movement to save Mhadei.
“We fail to understand why injustice is done to the people of Goa by giving approval for Karnataka DPR, even after the Supreme Court repeatedly rejected the petition and the review petition of the Karnataka government. If the diversion of Mhadei water is allowed, the future of our Goa is at a huge risk of evacuation,” he claimed.
Santan Pereira, Treasurer of GSAI said the issue of Mhadei is very serious in nature. The Central Water Commission has approved the DPR; however, the diversion of the Mhadei water will badly affect Goans, with respect to drinking water and irrigation.
“Let’s all come together to save the Mhadei River. Will be a thirsty Goenkar if the water is diverted,” he stated.
