Panaji: Vigilant people of Canacona, who have affection towards river Mhadei and know its importance for the survival of the state, convened a meeting on January 9, 2023, at the office of ‘Vision & Mission-Progressive Canacona’, Opposite Canara Bank, Chawdi-Canacona at 5.00 p.m.
Janardhan Bhandari, Co-ordinator of the “Save Mhadai… Save Goa” movement has appealed to the people of Canacona to partake in the meeting and express their views to take the movement forward.
The members of Swabhimani Jagruth Canconkars, Senior Citizens of Canacona, Canacona Patrakar Sangh, Goenkar, Jana-Sena Warriors, and ‘Vision & Mission…Progressive Canacona’ will remain present for the meeting.
Noted social activist Mr. Shantaji Naik Gaonkar will be the convenor of “Save Mhadai…Save Goa” for Canacona taluka.
“This is not the time to derive political dividend over the Mhadei river. However, BJP has compromised with Mhadei to help its Karnataka unit to garner votes in the assembly election. BJP in Karnataka has begun with a celebration after the central government gave nod to Detail Project Report to construct the Kalsa-Bhanduri dams. However, BJP leaders of Goa kept mum. Hence, people of the state will have to stand with this movement to save Mhadei from getting diverted,” Bhandari said.
He said that for the last 30 years, people of Goa are fighting to protect Mhadei, however every time the environmentalist brought the diversion to the notice of the BJP government, it turned Nelson’s eye on it. “Thus today we are suffering. I reiterate that this is not the time to do politics, but yes BJP has failed in all aspects to save Mhadei,” Bhandari said.
According to Bhandari, if the water of Mhadei is diverted then six talukas of Goa and five wildlife sanctuaries will be affected. “We nethe ed to protect nature and ecology. We will have to fight for our rights,” Bhandari said, appealing to all to join the meeting.
Janardhan Bhandari
Co-ordinator -“Save Mhadai… Save Goa” movement
