**************************************** For more information/links, see http://goanet.netfirms.com ****************************************
----------------------------------------------------------------------- Documented by Goa Desc Documentation Service & circulated by Goa Civic & Consumer Action Network (GOA CAN)<[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Ph:2252660 ----------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------- Film on Mahadayi targets Karnataka 'insensitivity' ---------------------------------------------------------------- From Devika Sequeira DH News Service PANAJI, Mar 22
A short documentary on the Mahadayi, officially released here on Friday, slams the Karnataka government for its "lack of ecological sensitivity" and disrespect for Goa's interests.
'Flowing with Mhadei', for which Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar has promised to pick up the tab, is likely to become a part of Goa's official armoury against the diversion of the river by Karnataka. Some government -suggested changes would be incorporated, the documentary maker, Gurudas Kamat told this newspaper.
Its producers are a fledgling local NGO, Environment Cultural and Heritage Organisation (ECHO), jostling to make a mark in Goa's already over-crowded activist market.
Mr Parrikar who was chief guest at the documentary's launch said he would like to show the film to Prime Minister A B Vajpayee "to strengthen Goa's case", provided its producers "dropped some harsh language". Among the audience were Congress leader of Oppostion Pratapsingh Rane and Goa Pradesh Congress Committee president Nirmala Sawant.
Laced with some biting and biased commentary directed at the Karnataka government, the documentary attempts to make a strong case against the diversion, stressing that Goa's and the Western Ghat's genetic biodiversity stood threatened. Visually however, it fails dismally, never rising above the pedestrian and humdrum.
The Mahadayi is already water deficient. The diversion of waters from its basin to the Mallaprabha would sound the death knell of Goa's Dudhsagar Falls as well as its tourism, the film underscores. It also attempts to debunk Karnataka's case for drinking water to the Hubli Dharwad region saying that it was powerful sugar-cane lobbies rather, who were pushing for the diversion.
"Karnataka has mismanaged the waters of the Mallaprabha, ruined vast forests, and is now targetting our Madhei. This is like robbing Paul to pay Peter," says the film. The film-maker travelled to Khanapur to focus on the Haltara and Kalsa dam sites. But what is particularly interesting are his attempts to retrace the steps (literally) of the Kadambas from Hershi in Khanapur to Goa, through a forest path.
Mr Kamat, who has a degree in fine arts and some documentary making experience under his belt, says he put in his all, apart from Rs 5.5 lakh in financing and 14 months of his time to make this film.
"The people in the forefront of the Mahadayi agitation were getting nowhere, so we needed a stronger medium to get through the message to more people in Goa." With the government backing it, a large viewership to schools and through the internet is now guaranteed. Kamat also has plans to focus on the Western Ghat region as a whole, to document it through visual anthropology. ------------------------------------ Deccan Herald March 23, 2003 ----------------------------------------------
======================================= GOA DESC RESOURCE CENTRE Documentation + Education + Solidarity 11 Liberty Apts., Feira Alta, Mapusa, Goa 403 507 Tel: 2252660 mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] website: www.goadesc.org ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Working On Issues Of Development & Democracy =======================================
_______________________________________________ Goanet mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.goanet.org/mailman/listinfo/goanet
