‘Report on Mhadei by NIO will hurt Goa’

Panaji: Protesters gathered outside the Dona Paula-based National Institute of Oceanography (NIO) to express their dismay over a recent report by NIO scientists on the impact of Karnataka’s diversion of water from the Mhadei basin. Activists and protesters said that the NIO report will jeopardise Goa’s stand in the ongoing dispute over water-sharing.The demonstration was led by activists who have fought against the diversion of water, and by RG president Manoj Parab and St Andre MLA Viresh Borkar. “Let the NIO scientists tell us how long they spent in the wildlife sanctuary when they conducted the study and why the study was not released in Goa in the presence of CM Pramod Sawant and the WRD minister. Why was it hidden?” said Parab.The NIO study published in the Journal of Earth System Sciences claimed that the diversion of water from the Mhadei basin by Karnataka would have “less impact” on Goa. Borkar said that the study shows that BJP is committed to permitting Karnataka to divert water from the Mhadei basin.The protesters, under the ‘Together For Mahadayi Movement’ banner, said the study was led by a scientist from Karnataka. They also alleged that it was undertaken and published at the behest of BJP govt.“Goa govt is working to strengthen the position of Karnataka and they have used the NIO scientists for this,” said Parab.