PANJIM: Mhadei Bachaco Abhiyan (MBA) that spearheaded the agitation against Karnataka’s move to divert water from the Mhadei river basin is contemplating challenging the Water Dispute Tribunal (MWDT) award before the Supreme Court as the verdict will prove detrimental to the State’s environment and ecology.
Speaking to Herald, MBA secretary and environmentalist Rajendra Kerkar said they are currently studying the award, which is in 12 volumes. “We are in discussion with our legal team contemplating to challenge the award in the Supreme Court. We are also examining whether, we can file an application to our existing petition itself,” he said.
MBA had in 2007 approached the Supreme Court challenging Karnataka’s Kalsa- Bhandura project in Kankumbi on environmental grounds and had pointed out that the project was being undertaken without obtaining Environmental Clearance (EC) from the Union Ministry for Environment and Forest (MoEF). MBA had also sought directions from the court to maintain status quo in the project. Karnataka, in their submission, had assured the Court it would not undertake any construction work pending the award from MWDT.
Kerkar said that the Tribunal award that allows Karnataka, to use water outside the basin, will prove detrimental to the environment, the ecology as well as to safeguarding the interest of Goans. A total 3.90 TMC of water has been allowed to be utilise outside the basin.
Kerkar said that the Supreme Court needs to be apprised of the fact that Goa is almost entirely dependent upon the Mhadei river and its basin for its drinking water needs, navigation, tourism, fishing, etc. The wellbeing, sustenance, and even the basic existence of the inhabitants in the State, are dependent upon this river and the river basin.
The Mandovi river basin in Goa occupies an area of 42.70 percent of the State’s geographical area. Out of its total length of 111 kms, 76 kms are in Goa, whereas 35 kms in Karnataka. It is pertinent to note that the river in its upper reaches plays an important role in adding nutrients in the food chain.
“Diversion scheme of Karnataka if given effect to would result in changing the hydraulic characteristics of Mhadei River, reduction in flow of water in the river thereby disturbing the delicate balance required for sustenance and growth of habitat in the region. The water flow/moisture content presently available in the region will be considerably reduced, varied or changed and this would severally and irreparably affect the flora and fauna in the region,” the environmentalist explained.
“Reduction in fresh water flow in the Mhadei River as a result of abstraction of water from the river, whether for trans basin or inter basin diversion or for within the basin use by Karnataka and Maharashtra will have devastating and detrimental effect on Goa’s entire eco-system unique mangroves, agriculture and fisheries,” he added.
The Mhadei river basin has within its area 192 villages of Sattari, Sanguem, Bicholim, Tiswadi, Bardez and Ponda with cultivable land to the extent of 91,072 ha. The Mhadei along with others is the most important tributary of the Mandovi which originates in Degao near Khanapur.
The proposed Bhandura dam is not even 500 mts away from the Bhimgad Wildlife Sanctuary notified in 2012 and is within 231 meters of the Mhadei wildlife sanctuary.
Kerkar said that till this date, Karnataka has not received forest clearance from MoEF and Ministry of Water Resources has not withdrawn the in-principle clearance which was placed in abeyance in September 2002.
