MARGAO
Demanding immediate withdrawal of the controversial Detailed Project Report (DPR) given by the Central Water Commission to Karnataka to build water diversion projects at Kalasa and Bhandura, the Goan Seamen Association of India (GSAI) has called upon the people of Goa to join the fight to save Mhadei.
Extending its support to the NGOs and groups involved in the agitation to save Mhadei, GSAI general secretary Benny Da Costa pointed out the seafaring community will actively fight alongside the people of Goa to save Mhadei.
GSAI Treasurer Santan Pereira said reports compiled by environmentalists show that Goa’s water requirements will be affected by 45 per cent if Mhadei water is diverted to Karnataka.
“The rivers dependent on Mhadei will run dry. Goa will face acute water scarcity,” he said while urging the people of Goa to come under one banner to fight to protect Mhadei.
Saying the Mhadei is an issue facing the entire Goa and not just one or two talukas, Santan said any water scarcity in North Goa after the diversion of Mhadei will be met by pumping Selaulim water to the North to meet the water requirements.
GSAI vice-president Gabriel Pinto said the association has decided to support and express solidarity with the groups fighting to save Mhadei and demand the withdrawal of the DPR.
He pointed out that one of the avowed objectives of GSAI is to promote environmental-related activities and enrich and preserve the environment. “This is the reason why GSAI has resolved to join the people of Goa in the battle to save Mhadei," he said.
Saying he fails to understand why injustice is being done to the people of Goa by the Centre, Pinto cautioned that the future of Goa will be at stake if Mhadei water is diverted to build the Kalasa and Bhandura projects. “We stand by the people of Goa in the fight to save Mhadei,” he added.
