Shah remarks on Mhadei diversion slammed in Goa

“…We are firm in our decision and will do whatever has to be done for Mhadei, legally, politically and technically,” added Sawant.

At a public rally in Karnataka’s Belagavi in January 2023, Shah had said, “I want to tell you [people] that BJP, by resolving the long-standing dispute between both states [Goa and Karnataka], has given Mhadei water to Karnataka and, thereby, ensured farmers in several districts here are benefited.”

Responding to questions of Congress leaders on whether Mhadei water sharing between Karnataka and Goa has been resolved to allow diversion of water to Karnataka as mentioned by the Union Home Minister, Goa Water Resources Minister Subhash Shirodkar said, “The case is pending before the Supreme Court. There will be no compromise on Mhadei.”

On a question whether the government is monitoring activities by Karnataka related to the Kalasa and Bhandura projects, Shirodkar said, “The state government is closely monitoring the case and the activities of the state of Karnataka. The activities of Karnataka before the MoEF (Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change of India), CWC (Central Water Commission) and other authorities are being closely watched. However, visit to Kalasa and Bhandura site is not possible as Karnataka is physically obstructing such visits. At one point of time, Karnataka police had detained officials from Goa during a site inspection.”

Meanwhile, the opposition leaders targeted the government over its handling of recent forest fires across the state, especially in the Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary.

Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao of the Congress sought a high-level enquiry into the forest fire incidents to check whether they were man-made or natural.

Vijay Sardesai of the Goa Forward Party, said, “These fires should not come as a surprise…The action plan of the government exists only on paper. Is the government restoring forests or converting them into plots?”

In his reply on calling attention motion on the issue, the CM said that the directorate of fire and emergency services attended to 3,751 forest fire incidents from January 1, 2020 to March 15, 2023, adding that the existing state action plan on forest fires is being revamped and a comprehensive action plan for management of forest fires in Goa is under consideration.

“Unlike past years, a higher number of forest fires were reported in Goa from March first week onwards. It is informed that extreme weather conditions have been recorded and there has been no or scant rains since mid-October and above average temperatures and very low humidity is being seen. The Forest department, along with the participation of communities, district authorities including fire services doused 77 forest fires since March 2023 till date,” Sawant said.

“Infrastructure is being strengthened. Specially customised mini-water tankers with higher mobility in tougher terrains are being explored that are most suited for reaching inaccessible areas inside the deep forests and shall be developed in consultation with the fire services department,” Sawant added in his reply.