Panaji:
In a strongly worded press conference held in the capital, the Goa Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) warned that the diversion of the Mhadei River would have devastating consequences for Goa and slammed the recent report by the National Institute of Oceanography (NIO) as misleading and unscientific.
South Goa MP Captain Viriato Fernandes, accompanied by GPCC President Amit Patkar and district presidents Savio D’Silva and Virendra Shirodkar, called the NIO report a “biased and tabletop exercise” that fails to reflect ground realities. He emphasized that the report does not consider the ecological impact of water diversion and was prepared solely from a hydrological perspective, ignoring crucial environmental and biodiversity factors.
“The NIO report claims minimal impact on Goa, but that is far from the truth,” said Fernandes, citing four comprehensive and peer-reviewed studies by reputed institutions such as the Indian Institute of Science, Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology & the Environment (ATREE), Norwegian Institute for Water Research, and IIT Mumbai. These studies warn of grave consequences, including the saline desertification of Goa, if Mhadei’s water is diverted.
He criticized the NIO report for neglecting the importance of non-monsoon flows from tributaries like Bhandura and Kalasa, which are essential to sustaining Goa’s evergreen forests and biodiversity. “Ignoring these flows in the context of climate change puts our entire ecosystem at risk,” Fernandes added.
Highlighting the ecological significance of Mhadei and its role in nourishing Goa’s marine life and coastal biodiversity, Fernandes warned of potential saline ingress into the Mandovi River — Goa’s lifeline, which serves over 43% of the state’s population. “Rivers are not just water channels to be divided. They are living ecosystems with their own rhythm,” he stated.
The Congress party also raised serious concerns about the impact of the proposed dams, which threaten to sever water flow to the Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary in Goa and Bhimgad Sanctuary in Karnataka. “These dams are being constructed in Category I eco-sensitive zones and will accelerate the destruction of the Western Ghats — a UNESCO ecological hotspot crucial for carbon fixation and climate stability,” said Fernandes.
The GPCC pointed out that Karnataka’s growing water crisis is largely due to unsustainable agricultural practices and industrial use. “The shift to sugarcane cultivation and the demands of soft drink companies and industries have created the crisis. Why must Goa pay the environmental price for Karnataka’s poor water management?” asked Fernandes.
Calling for unity among Goans, Fernandes stressed the need for an all-party delegation, including all 40 MLAs and the three MPs from Goa, to meet the Prime Minister and collectively demand protection for the Mhadei River. “This is beyond politics — this is about Goa’s survival. Unfortunately, it is clear the Goa government is not treating this issue with the seriousness it demands,” he said.
He concluded by urging Goans to rise above political differences and unite to protect Mhadei, warning that the decisions made today will define the state’s ecological future for generations.
“If we lose Mhadei, we lose Goa,” he declared.
