Goa wants Karanataka to demarcate eco-sensitive zones around Mhadei

PANAJI: Chief minister Laxmikant Parsekar has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi requesting him to direct the ministry of environment, forest and climate change (MoEFCC) to demarcate an area of at least 10km around sanctuaries on the Karnataka side as eco-sensitive zone.
Parsekar in a letter said that Karnataka should demarcate an eco-sensitive zone around Mhadei wild life sanctuary on the Karnataka side, including for the Bhimgad sanctuary where the Mhadei river originates.

MoEFCC had notified 1km buffer zone for the state of Goa.

Last week, to stop Karnataka from diverting the waters of River Mhadei, Goa state cabinet, approved a resolution to direct the Karnataka government to demarcate eco-sensitive zone around wildlife sanctuaries on their side.

Parsekar said that state of Goa has declared 1km buffer zone in and around the sanctuary while Karanataka despite Supreme Court orders and MoEFCC notification has set at naught and paid scant regards to ecology and its laws. “Such gross violations have endangered the sustenance of western ghats,” Parsekar said.