Cancona: Vigilant people of Canacona, who have affection towards river Mhadei and know its importance for survival of the state, has convened 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 “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 convenor of “Save Mhadai…Save Goa” for Canacona taluka.
“This is not the time to derive political dividend over the Mhadei river. However, it is evident that BJP has compromised Mhadei to help its Karnataka unit to garner votes in assembly election. BJP in Karnataka has begun with celebration after the central government gave nod to Detail Project Report to construct 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 since 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 water of Mhadei is diverted then six talukas of Goa and five wildlife sanctuaries will be affected. “We need to protect nature and ecology. We will have to fight for our right,” Bhandari said, appealing to all to join the meeting.
