NT Reporter
Panaji
In a move aimed at safeguarding Goa’s natural heritage, Viresh Borkar, MLA of St Andre from the Revolutionary Goans Party, has introduced a Private Member’s Bill titled ‘The Goa River Conservation and Management Act, 2026 (GORICA)’ in the ensuing budget session of the Goa Legislative Assembly.
Borkar said the proposed legislation seeks to govern, conserve, restore, and ensure the sustainable management of Goa’s freshwater heritage by providing a comprehensive framework for the protection of rivers, tributaries, and associated ecosystems.
Describing it as a historic step, Borkar said that the Bill fulfils the party’s promise to protect the Mhadei River and other rivers of Goa from destruction, diversion and unsustainable exploitation. He said rivers are the lifelines of Goa’s ecology, culture, agriculture and identity, and must be preserved at all costs.
This is the fifth Private Member’s Bill introduced by the RGP MLA. The earlier four include the TCP (Amendment) Bill, 2026 to scrap Section 39A; the Goa Panchayat Raj (Amendment) Bill, 2026 to define mega projects and empower gram sabhas; the Goa Land Protection and Conservation Bill, 2026; and the Goa Protection of Agricultural Land Bill, 2026.
