MARGAO
Whenever the Selaulim water pipeline ruptures or is shut down for maintenance, taps run dry in most parts of South Goa for a day or two, explaining the importance the water pipeline holds for the residents of Salcete, Quepem, Sanguem and Mormugao. It’s precisely for this reason that Saxttikars, Quepemkars, Sanguemkars and Vascokars consider the Selaulim water pipeline as South Goa’s lifeline.
Mhadei somehow does not find a mention in the scheme of things of the people in Saxtti in particular and South Goa in general, which had in the recent past powered many a movement, both pre and post-Liberation era. In fact, opposition, if any, to diversion of Mhadei river water by Karnataka had come occasionally from the political class having roots in Salcete, throwing up the oft-repeated question whether the movement to protect Mhadei did not evoke the desired response from down South for the reason the river does not affect the day-to-day lives of the people.
Environmentalist and the Save Mhadei crusader Rajendra Kerkar, however, says that river Mhadei is equally important for Salcete and South Goa as well. He has cautioned that the availability of water in the Selaulim dam may be affected in the long run if Karnataka is allowed to have its way in diverting Mhadei river water. Kerkar has further warned that the salinity in the sea off Goa’s coast may increase significantly in the future if waters from the Mhadei river does not free flow in the Arabian Sea. “We cannot say that Mhadei does not affect Salcete or South Goa. Water from the river Mhadei flows into the Arabian Sea, keeping in check the salinity level of sea water. We have glaring instance of water bodies left devastated in Africa and other countries due to a rise in salinity level in the sea. We have not experienced this situation in Goa since water from the Mhadei River has been constantly flowing into the sea. Karnataka has often contended that Mhadei waters flowing into Goa goes waste since it flows into the sea. It does not go waste, but the water helps to maintain the salinity level,” he said.
Kerkar added: “Goa has humid climatic conditions and a rise in salinity in the sea can bring disaster and various diseases to the people.”
The environmentalist further contended that Salcete and South Goa cannot say the issue does not affect them for the reason that a victory over Mhadei will only embolden Karnataka to take up work on dams along the Goa border.
“Karnataka has plans to dam the river water just above Ugem in Sanguem, which presently flows towards Castle Rock and into the Dudhsagar waters, and later finds its way into the Selaulim dam reservoir. If they have their way over Mhadei, the day is not far when the neighbouring state may execute other plans,” he warned.
City-based lawyer and political commentator Adv Cleofato Coutinho conceded that Mhadei somehow is seen as an issue affecting North Goa than South. “May be Salcete and down South is quite on Mhadei because of the perception that it does not affect South district. This should not have been the case as a river affects everybody, irrespective of region,” he said.
He added: “Somehow, the issue is seen as the problem affecting the New Conquests more than the Old Conquests. This should not be the case. Salcete and South Goa have fought many a battle right from the Pre-Liberation era down to the Opinion poll, Konkani agitation, and recent movements against double tracking etc since the people considered these issues dear to their hearts.”
