Team Herald
PANJIM: Mhadei Bachao Abhiyan (MBA) that has been spearheading the movement against diversion of Mhadei river water, on Thursday stated that any discussions with Karnataka at this stage can have a detrimental impact on Goa’s case before the Mhadei Water Dispute Tribunal (MWDT), that will hear the final arguments in February.
MBA president Nirmala Sawant and Secretary Rajendra Kerkar called on State Water Resources Minister Vinod Palyekar demanding that the government make its stand clear on the Mhadei issue.
“We have told the Minister that any talks with Karnataka, be it even on sharing of water for drinking purpose, can have a detrimental impact on the case before Tribunal, considering that Goa’s case is very strong,” Kerkar told Herald after the meeting.
“Any discussion with Karnataka or Maharashtra can take place once the tribunal passes its judgment in August, when the MWDT term is set to expire. Any talks before that are not welcome. We cannot trust Karnataka in any way,” the environmentalist added.
Kerkar said that the Tribunal in 2015 had suggested an amicable discussion on the drinking water issue, but now is not the right time for it. “Tribunal has already dismissed Karnataka’s plea for 7tmc of water for drinking purpose, after Goa proved that the areas claimed by the neighbours are not drought-prone,” he said.
MBA has also demanded that the government finalise the State Water Policy latest by January 26 by incorporating suggestions made by them. The State, in June 2016, had released the draft policy, which is yet to be finalised.
MBA has demanded a complete ban on privatisation of water supply from public sources and a detailed study on the impact of salinisation of groundwater due to sand mining thereby stopping such activities.
Kerkar said they had demanded that the policy consider all hydrographic units, right from river basins to micro watersheds, which defines the water scarcity of Goa.
He said the policy needs to focus on water allocation for drinking and domestic use, sustaining livelihoods, sustaining environment, river systems and aquatic life, irrigation and hydro-power, thermal power, industries and irrigation.
MBA demanded that the State survey, map and conserve all natural springs and fountains and rejuvenate those which are in a ruinous State. It has also demanded that no development zones should be marked to protect catchment areas of all streams, springs, fountains based on topo-sheets and satellite imagery.
