Keri: An inter-state dialogue among stakeholders on the Malaprabha–Mhadei water dispute, focused on Karnataka’s proposed damming and diversion schemes, was held at Devalaya, Dharwad, on the weekend.The two-day consultation brought together affected communities, environmentalists and representatives from Goa, Maharashtra and Karnataka to understand competing concerns and work toward a sustainable and equitable resolution to the decades-old dispute.National Alliance of People’s Movements’ (NAPM) Nirmala Gowda said the consultation aimed to provide a common platform for stakeholders to share concerns, expectations and perspectives.The event was jointly organised by NAPM, SPARK Karnataka, Eco Watch, Sarvodaya Samaj, People First Foundation, Gandhi Shanti Pratishthan and the Hubballi–Dharwad Citizens Environment Committee.Shankar Ambali and other farmers from north Karnataka said that Karnataka should be allowed to use 4 tmcft of water as it is primarily required to meet drinking water needs. They also said their livelihoods depend on sustainable agriculture and that they are not using irrigation for sugarcane cultivation.From Goa, Mhadei Bachao Abhiyan’s Nirmala Sawant said the state is water-deficient and that Mhadei is a lifeline for drinking water, irrigation and daily needs.Other speakers from Goa — Dasharth Morajkar, Abhijit Prabhudesai and Eric Pinto — highlighted the river’s role in meeting drinking and agricultural needs and said that diversion could increase salinity, harming fish habitats and the broader ecology.Maharashtra’s Prasad Gawade opposed damming and diversion projects as well as mining in ecologically sensitive Western Ghats areas. He said that protecting forested regions would help the Konkan secure water for drinking and irrigation through springs, tanks and traditional community-managed water harvesting systems.
