A major fire reportedly broke out in the forest close to Satre village in the Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary on the Goa-Karnataka border affecting the flora and fauna there. The Goa government established the Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary in the forests within the Mhadei River basin in 1999. Water from the Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary cannot be diverted as per provisions of the Wildlife Protection Act. Incidentally, the Chief Wildlife Warden cannot grant such permission in case of Mhadei water as it will amount to the diversion of water for purposes other than the wildlife sanctuary. It is learnt that the fire at the Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary is a ground fire and some persons have set the cashew plantation on fire which spread to the Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary. The question that arises is whether the fire was a deliberate act of sabotage by those who want the Mhadei water to be diverted to Karnataka. Is it an attempt to weaken Goa’s cause in the fight against the diversions of Mhadei water? An inquiry into the fire needs to be carried out and those involved must be booked.
