OLD GOA
A delegation of Save Mhadei Save Goa undertook a bike rally to create awareness among the panchayats on the need to declare Mhadei wildlife sanctuary as a tiger reserve.
The rally was flagged off at the Corlim panchayat on Friday by sarpanch Baptist Pereira with Rajan Ghate, Mariano Ferrao and Perpetua Ferrao participating.
At Corlim, the delegation explained to sarpanch Pereira about the need to declare Mhadei wildlife sanctuary as a tiger reserve, which would once and for all resolve the Mhadei issue, while urging him to pass a resolution to this effect at the fortnightly meeting as well as the gram sabha.
“Resolutions to declare Mhadei sanctuary as tiger reserve should then be sent to the government,” the delegation urged.
The delegation then met Carambolim sarpanch Kusta Salelkar, Azossim-Mandur sarpanch Prashant Naik, Goa Velha sarpanch Emilia Caiado, Siridao sarpanch Suwarna Cuncolienkar and Curca deputy sarpanch Vinesh Adpaikar.
The delegation also visited Neura panchayat where they submitted the memorandum to the panchas. At the Agassaim panchayat, they could not submit the memorandum since no panch was present.
On Saturday, the delegation will continue meeting the sarpanchas of the remaining panchayats in Tiswadi including Old Goa, Chimbel, Merces, Santa Cruz and Taleigao. Also, the memorandum will be submitted to the CCP.
Speaking to The Goan, Mariano Ferrao opined that when there is a short route to save Mhadei from getting diverted, there is no need to take a longer route.
“Everything is in the hands of the government to save Mhadei by declaring the sanctuary as a tiger reserve,” Ferrao said.
Rajan Ghate too said opined that this is the best way to save Mhadei and there would be no need to knock on the doors of the courts or hit the streets.
“We are going to submit the memorandum to the MLAs as well to raise the issue in the forthcoming Assembly on the need to declare Mhadei sanctuary as a tiger reserve,” Ghate informed.
Ghate further stated that their campaign would continue till all the talukas of Goa are covered.
Perpetua Ferrao said that women would be the worst sufferers if the Mhadei waters are diverted and called upon the women to join their movement in getting Mhadei sanctuary declared as a tiger reserve.
Sarpanchas extend support
OLD GOA
Even as the Save Mhadei Save Goa delegation visited various Tiswadi panchayats urging for a resolution to declare Mhadei sanctuary as a tiger reserve, the sarpanchas reciprocated and extended their support.
At Corlim, sarpanch Baptist Pereira said the need of the hour is to save Mhadei from getting diverted and added that his panchayat will extend all support to the proposal.
Carambolim sarpanch Kusta Salelkar also said that since Mhadei is a lifeline of Goa, its waters cannot be allowed to be diverted, extending all support.
Azossim-Mandur sarpanch Prashant Naik also extended all support of his panchayat and informed that the resolutions would be approved by the local body as well as the gram sabha.
Goa Velha sarpanch Emilia Caidao also extended support to the delegation and stated that water is a basic necessity.
Extending her support, Siridao sarpanch Suwarna Cuncolienkar said that she would do anything in her power to stop Mhadei waters from getting diverted.
Curca deputy sarpanch Vinesh Adpaikar also extended all support of his panchayat to the delegation as he opined that without water, one cannot survive.
