PANAJI
Unfazed by the setback posed by the Bombay High Court verdict on Mhadei tiger reserve to its plan to divert the Mhadei waters, the Congress government and the BJP, JDS Opposition closed ranks and decided to aggressively press the Centre for the requisite clearances for its dam projects at Kalasa and Bhandura.
Karnataka decided to take an all-party delegation to Delhi to press for the clearances from the Union Environment Ministry for the Kalasa-Bhandura projects on the Mhadei river at Kankumbi at an all-party meeting held at the Bengaluru legislature complex on Wednesday.
The decision was announced by Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah at a press conference after the all-party meeting, which also deliberated on the State’s dispute with Tamil Nadu over the sharing of Cauvery
river waters.
While in Delhi, Karnataka’s all-party delegation is expected to meet with the Prime Minister, Union Minister for Environment, Forests and Climate Change and also the Water Resources Minister.
On the other hand, Goa’s seemingly leisurely strategy on the vexed Mhadei dispute with Karnataka has puzzled many and earned the State government stinging criticism from the Opposition and green groups, particularly its stand to challenge the High Court verdict directing it to notify Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary’s core areas as a tiger reserve.
The verdict is seen by experts and as the perfect foil for Goa in its fight against Karnataka’s plans to divert Mhadei river waters. Some key Karnataka politicians including Union Minister Prahlad Joshi have also acknowledged that the Tiger Reserve proposal emanating from the High Court verdict is impeding the State’s dam projects at Kalasa and Bhandura.
