Karnataka Assembly Deputy Speaker and former Fisheries Minister Mankal Vaidya has demanded that Uttara Kannada be merged with Goa, alleging that the district and its people have been repeatedly made to sacrifice land, forests and livelihoods for projects of national and state importance.

Speaking at a three-day special session in Bengaluru on the issue of Ecologically Sensitive Areas (ESA), Vaidya questioned the proposed inclusion of Uttara Kannada under the Kasturirangan report and said the district’s unique geographical and developmental circumstances must be considered.
Uttara Kannada hosts several major projects, including ports, dams, tiger reserves, wildlife sanctuaries, the Kaiga Nuclear Power Plant and a strategically important naval base. Vaidya said local people had made significant sacrifices for these projects but had not received adequate development and basic infrastructure in return.

“If Karnataka is treating us unfairly, send us to Goa or anywhere else. We can live anywhere,” Vaidya said, stressing that Uttara Kannada is Karnataka’s last border district.
He also questioned restrictions on local livelihoods in the name of environmental protection. Referring to the district’s geography, Vaidya said it is surrounded by the sea and CRZ on one side, forests on another and a highway on the other, leaving limited scope for development.
Vaidya maintained that while environmental protection is important, the rights, livelihoods and developmental needs of local residents must also be taken into consideration.