Mormugao council resolves to oppose Mhadei diversion

Mormugao Municipal Council (MMC) has become the first municipality to
adopt a unanimous resolution to oppose the diversion of Mhadei river water to Karnataka.

Since the last few days, the Mhadei river water diversion issue in Goa has spread like wildfire with the people opposing the water diversion to Karnataka fearing for the biodiversity of the State.

After the council meeting, councillor Shami Salkar told Gomantak Times that the council unanimously took a resolution to oppose the Mhadei
water diversion to Karnataka.

She further opined that the council is having strong faith in the BJP state and central government leadership that justice will be done. Salkar also pointed out that stopping the water diversion of Mhadei is important as the river is the lifeline of Goa and its biodiversity.

MMC chairperson Leo Rodrigues also said that all 25 councillors were firm on the decision to oppose Mhadei water diversion. We have collectively taken a resolution to save Mhadei river for Goa and oppose its diversion to Karnataka, he added.

Councillor Shradha Mahale Shetye also mentioned that an expert on Mhadei water dispute issue should do an awareness session for the councillors to give them the zist into the issue.

"Once the councillors are fully aware of the matter then they could easily
create awareness among the people," she said.

Yatin Kamurlekar, MMC biodiversity committee head, said the committee took a resolution and sent it to the Goa State Biodiversity Board
(GSBB) on January 25.

Later, it was decided to take a unanimous decision by all 25 councillors to oppose water diversion of Mhadei river and then send it to the GSBB which we have done today, he said.

We are also planning to undertake various activities in educational institutions to carry out awareness about this matter, he added.