PANAJI
In what could spell trouble for Goa if the double-engine sarkar fails in taking urgent action against the DPR approval for Kalasa-Bhandura project, irrigation officials of the Karnataka government held an inspection at the Mhadei River site on Tuesday.
The development ensued minutes after its Water Resources Minister Govind Karjol vowed to change his name if he does not ensure the completion of the revised Mhadei drinking water project in one year.
“No work was undertaken after the Centre’s DPR approval for the Kalasa-Bhandura project and neither any officials were posted to start the work. However, after Karnataka's WRD Minister went on record to complete the work in one year, their Irrigation officials were seen carrying out inspection,” noted environmentalist Rajendra Kerkar said while speaking to The Goan.
He further revealed that Karnataka had earlier completed the survey and soil testing of the proposed Kalasa-Bhandura dam site. “The markings of various places for the diversion of the canal were also carried out previously,” he added.
The present action by the Karnataka government has pressed a panic button as Goa government is yet to formally approach Prime Minister Narendra Modi requesting to withdraw the controversial order. In an ironical co-incidence, both the States are ruled by BJP with PM Modi-led BJP govt at the Centre.
While Karnataka has expedited its process to commence the activity around the Mhadei basin, political parties in Goa are busy in a blame-game.
Activists under the banner Mhadei Bachao Abhiyan have meanwhile come together to decide their further strategy to legally fight the case against Karnataka and the Centre’s order.
The hope, for now, lies in the setting up of Water Management Authority “ a body consisting of members from the three States of Goa, Karnataka and Maharashtra that share the river water. Kerkar conceded that it should be a reality soon. “As per the Mhadei Water Dispute Tribunal, the government ought to constitute the Mhadei Authority. It will give all the three States a chance to submit their representations and a conclusive decision can be arrived at,” he said.
The Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 could be Goa’s other saviour as the law bans development activity in the forest areas. Kerkar explained that the present project site is barely 237 meters away from the Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary while the proposed dam is in the interiors of the Reserve Notified Forest of Karnataka.
“Karnataka’s senior counsel had submitted to the Supreme Court in 2007 that its state ‘will not divert and utilise the Mhadei water’. These are some of strong points to place before the Authority,” he said.
However, the present scenario for Goa is disturbing as the Kalasa canal has already dried. The environmentalist claimed that the water flow from Karnataka to Goa is now flowing in the opposite direction “ towards the Malaprabha basin.
