Has the Opposition functioned like an effective opposition and fought for the people on Mhadei? -NO

Is the Opposition keeping its doors and windows wide open for the fresh winds from the ruling side blowing towards them “for development”? Otherwise, what explains their absolute refusal to go to court and file a PIL under Section 29 of the Wild Life Protection Act, 1972, which prevents any diversion of water from a wildlife sanctuary to the detriment of the wildlife?

Is the Opposition serious enough to legally strike on Mhadei independently?

Considering this is exactly what is happening with regards to the Mhadei diversion, the shocking refusal to move illegally, which is independent of any challenges that the government makes on the DPR, begs the question; is the Opposition serious enough to legal strike on Mhadei independently?

The system in Goa has failed to evoke that confidence, even as Karnataka in one voice says Goa’s stand or its House resolutions do not matter.

What does it really take for the Opposition to approach the court, taking a stand that all experts on Mhadei including Dr Claude Alvares, easily the best exponent of legal methods to fight environmental clauses, have opined?

Defectors and hopeful defectors have finished the line between ruling and opposition. That’s why action on Mhadei is negligible

The Ruling dispensation has a lot to answer the people of Goa for their inactions in protecting Mhadei. The Home Minister’s clear statement that Goa was a party to the decision to divert Mhadei’s waters has not been strongly refuted by the government.

But what has the so-called opposition done? With the Ruling full of MLAs who should have been the Opposition and the current opposition hopeful of “development” of their own ‘development’, who is there to fight for the common man?

Representatives of ‘faithful’ institutions backed political parties, not the right people

One hopes that the people of Goa will realise that ultimately selfless people dedicated to Goa need to be elected. Yes, one has seen representatives of faithful institutions openly backing political parties, ignoring the need to pick good people more than parties. When that happens, people’s causes are fought like a war. O Heraldo has always backed the concept of having the right people over parties for a better Goa. Where are those ‘faithful’ who made videos, gave speeches and asked people to back particular political parties? They even acted as professors of WhatsApp universities.

Coming back to Mhadei, today, either the Opposition-dominated House Committee is totally out of sync with what is needed or does not want to put together an effective strategy to win the Mhadei battle through out-of-the-box thinking. That does seem to be evident at first glance by simply looking at their initial recommendations which are too general and don’t inspire the confidence of serious intent or study.

Look at the recommendations of the House Committee after its first meeting on Wednesday. Do they seem as if Goa is really fighting a war on Mhadei? Let’s study them.

Recommendation: Goa needs to put up a strong case on ecological, wildlife, and environmental grounds

It doesn’t need a House Committee to underline this that is obvious. They have access to men of great jurisprudence among them. It needs to give clear legal routes.

It should also ask the Opposition (which means look inwards) why can’t it back or go directly to court with a PIL to stop water diversion from a Wildlife Sanctuary?

Recommendation *Govt should take immediate steps to declare Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary as a tiger reserve Demarcate boundaries of wildlife sanctuaries to strengthen Goa’s case before SC, which is likely to hear it on Feb 13.

This is not critical. The Wild Life Protection Act legally protects a wildlife sanctuary. Even without the Tiger Reserve notification (which should be done anyway) seek that protection. If the government doesn’t do it, let the Opposition act like an opposition and act fast in court.

Constitute Advisory Board or Expert Committee

The time for constituting expert committees is over. A hard legal strategy has to be worked out in less than a week. Noted experts should be asked to be a part of those meetings on a daily basis and a twin action of the government challenging the DPR and the public (backed by the opposition) makes the Wildlife Protection challenge.

This is a war for justice and has to be fought on the legal and political battlefield; not a seminar to give suggestions

The need of the hour is simple. And it is the only need by blanking out everything else. Fight this battle legally and strongly. That is the only lifeline to save our lifeline. The Goa government has the weight of making people disbelieve a statement by the national Home Minister, that Goa and Karnataka joined hands to take the call on Mhadei diversion.

And the Opposition has the weight of carrying a growing public belief that they are not willing to move out of giving lip service to attacking the government without really making it accountable to the people. And more importantly not lifting its collective finger to exercise clear available legal options.

This itself is a greater betrayal than the betrayal of the diversion of Mhadei waters.