In the debate on the Mhadei river water sharing between Goa and Karnataka, there’s always the argument that water flowing from the Sahyadri range in Karnataka into Goa goes straight into the sea. This basically implies that instead of being squandered this way, the Mhadei water can be put to better use if it is diverted and tapped in Karnataka.
This argument is completely flawed. In many ways, Mhadei or Mandovi, which covers over 100 kilometres in both states before it embraces the sea, has been crucial in sustaining Goa’s ecology.
Being a coastal state, along the Arabian Sea, the fresh river water from Mhadei flowing through most parts of Goa regulates the salinity in the air and water. Most importantly, it is the Mhadei which has sustained the biodiversity of the state’s protected forests – Bhagwan Mahaveer Wildlife Sanctuary, Mollem National Park, Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary, Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary and Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary.
Any damming or diversion of the Mhadei water will disturb the ecosystem of these protected forests. Effects of structures coming up on the Karnataka side of the Western Ghats to alter the path of the Mhadei are already being felt in Goa. It is reflected in irregular and lesser rainfall in some areas of the state.
Effects of structures coming up on the Karnataka side of the Western Ghats to alter the path of the Mhadei are already being felt in Goa.
Chats with environmentalists reveal that the speed of flow of water in the Mhadei has also slowed down due to canals and conduits being built in the neighbouring state’s Kalasa basin. Today, they say it’s much slower than 40-50-km-per-hour in the past. This has reduced the siltation, which is adversely affecting Goa’s marine life.
Turning away of the Mhadei water from the State would also inflict a severe blow on the fisheries industry. Goa’s marine fisheries sector contributed around 3 per cent of the state GDP and 17 per cent of its agricultural GDP last year.
Many species of fish in the state have survived due to mixing of river water with the sea water. Rise in the salinity of Goa’s waterbodies has led to many of its fish species going extinct. It will also make the waterbodies less navigable, which could jeopardise Union Minister of Road Transport, Highways and Shipping Nitin Gadkari’s ambitious plan of linking rivers in Goa.
Some of the rivers in Goa, such as the Mandovi, Zuari, Terekhol, Talpona, and Galgibag, originate from the Western Ghats. These rivers form estuaries with tidal waters and flow inland, allowing navigation. The Mandovi River alone covers a big portion of the State's geographical area.
Many species of fish in the state have survived due to mixing of river water with the sea water. Rise in the salinity of Goa’s waterbodies has led to many of its fish species going extinct.
Mhadei and its tributaries have also been the most important source of water for quenching the thirst of Goans right from the Portuguese era. Goa’s first water treatment plant, built on the advice of renowned civil engineer in the mid-twentieth century, M Visvesvaraya, during the Portuguese rule also used the Mhadei water.
Though data on how much of Goa’s drinking water requirement is met by Mhadei and its tributaries is not easily available. Some claim it could be close to 60-70 per cent. The population it caters to is largely concentrated in Panjim and Ponda. In Sattari taluka, Mandovi water reaches more than 50 villages.
It also feeds many irrigation projects. Tillari Irrigation Project – a joint venture between Goa and Maharashtra governments – that irrigates an area of 16978 Ha in Goa and 6676 Ha in Maharashtra, also draws water from Mhadei river. The project benefits Pernem, Bicholim and Bardez talukas in North Goa and Dodamarg and Sawantwadi talukas of Sindhudurg in Maharashtra.
Thus, to say that when Karnataka’s Mhadei transforms to Mandovi in Goa, its only purpose is to race to the Arabian Sea is miles away from the truth. Before it reaches its final destination, it becomes the lifeblood of many things along the way.
