On May 20, thousands of Goans will form a human prayer chain along the Mandovi (Mhadei) river to spread awareness about the protection of the river, the lifeline of Goa’s ecosystem,
On May 20, thousands of Goans will form a human prayer chain along the banks of river Mandovi (also known as Mahadayi or Mhadei in Karnataka) in a community engagement festival called Mhadei Amchi Mai (Mhadei My Mother).
Organized by the Earthivist Collective, in association with the Goa Heritage Action Group (GHAG) and the Save Mhadei Save Goa Front, the festival is a run-up to the much-anticipated Supreme Court final hearing in July this year of the long-drawn water-sharing dispute between Goa and the neighbouring Karnataka.
Under the banner of ‘Save Tiger, Save Mhadei’ front flagged off their Motorcycle Rally in Bardez taluka from Dev Bodgeshwar Devasthan on Wednesday.
The rally will continue for the next two days, wherein all the 35 panchayats and one municipal council of Bardez Taluka will be covered. Their demand to notify the Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary as a Tiger Reserve.
“The protection of our natural habitat is of utmost importance, and we must all come together to ensure that they are preserved for future generations to come. We are urging the chief minister and other cabinet ministers and MLAs in the government to support the same. It is our responsibility to do all we can to protect these majestic creatures and their natural habitat. Therefore, we urge all Goenkars to come out in large numbers and join the motorcycle rally to ensure that all local self-governing bodies pass the necessary resolution at the earliest and Save Tiger, Save Mhadei. Let us all work together to save Mhadei and ensure its protection as we would for our own mothers,” Sushank Narvekar said.
On December 30, 2022, the then Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai announced that the government had received clearance from Union government following the Central Water Commission (CWC) approving the Detailed Project Report (DPR) to construct the Kalasa Bhandura canal to divert water from the upper reaches of Mhadei to the Malaprabha basin. On February 13, 2023, the Supreme Court heard Goa’s interlocutory application that sought to stop Karnataka from undertaking construction activity based on the DPR approved by the Centre. Though Goa sought interim relief from the Supreme Court on the matter, the latter said that Karnataka has to obtain environmental and wildlife clearances first.
The Supreme Court has fixed the final hearing in the case for July, 2023. A definite hearing date is yet to be announced. Until then, the people of Goa will keep fighting for Mhadei Amchi Mai (Mhadei, My Mother).