Panaji: Cementing its claim on Mahadeyi river water, Goa government has approved the appointment of an agency to conduct studies for protecting the state's interest before Mahadeyi Water Disputes Tribunal. The work has been awarded to DHI (India) Water and Environment Private Limited for Rs 1.34 crore.
The agency will conduct bio-diversity study on Mahadeyi river to ascertain endemic species and aquatic ecology. The agency will also have to conduct survey of estuaries of Mahadeyi and Zuari rivers. Goa government is currently fighting a legal battle with neighbouring Karnataka, which has resolved to construct dams to divert Mahadeyi river water.
The diversion of water would result in various costs to the state like ecological and environmental, mentions the Cabinet note issued on Wednesday. The regular hearing of Mahadeyi Water Disputes Tribunal began in first week of September this year.
The Cabinet note mentions that the agency has been asked to conduct the study as "during the regular hearing, the stand taken by Goa has to be proved by various documents and studies." International firm DHI has submitted a profile to the state government mentioning that they have carried out studies of similar nature in India and also abroad.
The agency will have to maintain confidentiality about the studies and there will be a copyright of water resources department over all data, analysis, results, conclusions, etc of the studies, the government note said. The experts from the agency will also be deposing before the tribunal during the regular hearings, it added.
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