BELAGAVI/OLD GOA
The Karnataka government, which is making an all out attempt in getting the controversial Kalsa-Bhandura water diversion project implemented, has sought a clearance from the Ministry of Environment and Forests & Climate Change (MoEF & CC).
According to sources, the letter seeking this permission was sent to the ministry on January 15.
It may be recalled that after getting clearance on the new DPR from the MoEF & CC in December, a team from the ministry had visited the Kankumbi and Nersa forest area for an inspection.
The forest land that was being exchanged by Karnataka in lieu of the 61 hectares of forest land that was sought for the implementation of the project was also inspected on January 11.
The MoEF team had submitted the report to the ministry, soon after which Karnataka is said to have dashed a letter to the MoEF & CC seeking clearance for implementing the Kalsa project as per the new DPR.
OPPOSITION FROM GOA
However, Revolutionary Goans Party MLA Viresh Borkar said the State government should demand that the Centre not grant Environment Clearance to Karnataka.
Speaking to The Goan on Karnataka’s application for EC, Borkar said, “The State government should ask the Centre not to grant approval as it would be the death knell for Goa.”
Meanwhile, Borkar said his party has written letter to the Prime Minister Narendra Modi requesting not to look Goa keeping in mind the strength of the Lok Sabha seats.
“We have urged the PM to look Goa taking into account its ecological sensitivity which has a varied flora and fauna,” Borkar informed while urging the PM not to do injustice for Goa.
When questioned whether the PM will give any weight to RGP’s letter when the State government itself was not entertained, Borkar said it would then expose the BJP that it does not care about Goa.
The Save Mhadei Save Goa Front has appealed to the Pramod Sawant government to at least prevail upon the Centre not to grant Environmental Clearance (EC) to Karnataka.
“The EC and the Forest Clearances are the only things that Goa has to block Karnataka from going ahead with the project and it is the least that is expected from the State government that it would prevail upon the Centre not to grant the approvals,” informed Prajal Sakhardade, executive member of the Front.
“The area where the project is being proposed is a dense forest area full of biodiversity and on this count the EC or the forest clearance cannot be granted,” Sakhardande opined.
“The only thing that is currently in favour of Goa is that Karnataka has not got environmental or forest clearances. We look upon the CM Sawant to prevail upon the Central Environment Minister and the Central Forest Ministry not to grant the approvals,” he added.
