Diversion will harm Western Ghats: Goa to Mhadei water tribunal

KERI: The Mhadei water dispute entered a very crucial stage in its hearing before the tribunal on Wednesday, with Goa, for the first time, raising the issue of threat to the Western Ghats’ biodiversity if the river’s tributaries are diverted.
Advocate general Atmaram Nadkarni told the Mhadei Water Dispute Tribunal, New Delhi, that witnesses are ready to depose and give evidence of the environmental and wildlife damage Goa will encounter if the water is dammed by Maharashtra and Karnataka.
The damming and diversion of Mhadei’s water will have serious implications for water treatment plants in the Mhadei basin, aquatic life, flora and fauna, river navigation, sediment flow, and forests and wildlife sanctuaries, which is why the state government has decided to highlight the possible damages to the biological hotspots of the Western Ghats, the AG pointed out.
The tribunal observed that it intends to accept Goa’s plea and frame 60 issues for trial. It suggested that the issue of hydrology be proved first by Goa, Maharashtra and Karnataka and then other issues will be taken up. Karnataka’s senior counsel sought time and the matter has been kept for hearing on Friday.
Karnataka’s counsel Fali Nariman was not present for the hearing. Senior advocate Sharad Javali, advocate Mohan Katarki and another
team of lawyers for that state were present.
When the tribunal was about to take up the main matter, Karnataka attempted to produce a new plan in their list of documents, which was not allowed by the tribunal.