Panaji, Sep 1 (TOI): During his cross-examination before the Mhadei Water Disputes Tribunal, Goa's witness and hydrology expert, Chetan Pandit said that water cannot be diverted from the Mhadei river basin as it has many biodiversity hotspots and wildlife sanctuaries.

The tribunal was hearing the application of Karnataka government seeking diversion of 7.56 thousand million cubic feet (TMC) of water from Mhadei basin.

Pandit said that Mhadei basin is not a typical Indian river basin, but one with many hotspots of biodiversity and five wildlife sanctuaries apart from its species-rich ecosystem. In course of the hearing, Additional Solicitor General of India, Atmaram Nadkarni appearing for the coastal state sought time to file an additional affidavit of the witness on other related issues.

Karnataka's lawyer opposed granting more time and stated that Pandit has already dealt with environment and ecology issues along with hydrology. In his reply, Nadkarni said that for Goa it is a matter of lifeline and alleged that Karnataka is interested in politicizing this serious matter. Subsequently, the tribunal granted time till September 9.