Mhadei dispute: Crisis in Goa scales up challenges for CM Sawant, puts BJP in tight spot https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/mhadei-dispute-crisis-goa-scales-up-challenges-cm-sawant-puts-bjp-tight-spot-karnataka-2321481-2023-01-14 The controversy between Goa and Karanataka over the Mhadei river basin has opened a new front of a challenge for the Bharatiya Janata Party, which rules both states. Pamela D’Mello Jan 16, 2023
Karnataka's argument is that its only demand was to have a rightful share of the Mhadei's fresh waters, much of which was being wasted and drained into the Arabian Sea in Goa.
Rebutting Karnataka’s claim, Goa submitted that besides being stored in several reservoirs in the state for drinking water and irrigation schemes, fresh water sustains the forest sanctuaries and prevents saline ingress further upstream, which would alter the ecosystem.
What is it about the river that gets Goans riled up? That any thought of its freshwater being diverted, is viewed as an ‘Apocalypse Now' moment? Geography has much to do with it.
The Mhadei/Mandovi river basin spans 1580 sq km, nearly half the Goa's total 3702 sq km area that calculates to 43 per cent of the state's area. It runs 76 km in north Goa, 78 per cent of the Mhadei's total 111 km.
It passes through 194 (Goa has 334 villages) of its most populous villages and towns, including the capital, Panjim.
The Mhadei/Mandovi is critical for the region's water supply, agriculture, fishing, irrigation, navigation and tourism in six of the state's twelve sub-districts. Religious, cultural and daily practices are also woven around the river.