Panaji: Aggrieved Goans protested outside the complex of CSIR-National Institute of Oceanography at Dona Paula near here condemning a study report by three scientists who had claimed that diversion of Mhadei river by Karnataka will have “less impact on Goa.”
Together for Mhadei Movement (TFMM), apolitical initiative by like-minded citizens on Thursday protested outside the NIO complex at Dona Paula.
The protesters were demanding explanation from the NIO about the study conducted by three hydrologists suggesting that Karnataka’s plans for diversion of the water as approved by the Water Dispute tribunal would have less of an impact on Goa and can be mitigated via mitigation measures.
In a new paper published in the Journal of Earth System Sciences, the researchers — K Anilkumar, D Shankar and K Suprit — simulated the water budget of the Mhadei river using a more accurate rainfall mapping and rainfall run-off model which made “two key improvements compared to the data arrived at by the tribunal” to allow them to simulate the discharge at any point along the Mhadei.
During the protest, Revolutionary Goans party President Manoj Parab said that the timing of the report is questionable.
He pointed out that Environmentalist Rajendra Kerkar, who has done extensive research on Mhadei river, has said that the “study report was conducting sitting in the office by these scientists.”
Parab claimed that Kerkar had specifically said that the conclusions by the scientists are questionable.
The RGP leader accused these scientists of “manufacturing this report to help Karnataka which has gone ahead with the construction of dams on the river, despite the case being heard by the Apex Court.”
He said that the chief minister Pramod Sawant and also the Congress leaders from Goa should make their stand clear on this report.
“Congress has its government in Karnataka. The party should insist to its government that they should not go ahead with the diversion of water,” Parab said.
