PANAJI
Amid fears that Goa’s six talukas will face the worst drought if the Mhadei River is diverted to Karnataka, a National Institute of Oceanography (NIO) scientist has claimed that water diversion will also have repercussions on the salinity of River Mandovi and the green cover of Goa.
At a special gram sabha of Chimbel panchayat, scientist Dr Anil Kumar explained to the villagers that Goa will face some of the worst consequences if Mhadei is diverted.
“The salinity of River Mandovi will be badly affected and this will have a catastrophic effect on the wildlife in the Western Ghats, forest areas, as well as the people,” he said at the meeting.
In his hour-long presentation, the scientist further explained that Mhadei’s diversion will also leave the wells and other water bodies dry.
Chimbel panchayat is among several other local bodies, which have been holding special meetings to address the issue around Mhadei and create awareness among the people to save Goa’s lifeline.
Gram Sabha unanimously resolved to hold another round of discussion on Mhadei and adopt a resolution to save Goa’s lifeline in its next meeting on Sunday, February 19 at 10 am.
The villagers also discussed water woes in the village with NGO Chimbel Manch president Gurudas Shirodkar explaining that a large number of wells in the village are already dry. “There is just one well-known as Vadhachbain in Chimbel village which is providing water to the entire village when the taps run dry,” he added.
