PANAJI
The State Forest Department in coordination with its counterpart Maharashtra is working round-the-clock to drive 10-year-old elephant ‘Omkar’ back to its natural habitat. Separated from its herd, the elephant, currently wandering through the fields of Tambose village in Pernem taluka, has turned wild.
On Thursday, the elephant was spotted moving in the fields of Tambose village, where it damaged banana, coconut, and paddy plantations, causing much panic among the villagers. The authorities, however, are on high alert, to avoid any animal-human conflict.
The Goa government has issued directions to the forest authorities to ensure safety of the animal. “Our Forest Department is working with Maharashtra. Clear directions have been issued to see that the animal goes back to its habitat. All efforts should be made for that purpose,” Chief Minister Pramod Sawant told The Goan.
Forest Department officer said that they are working in coordination with Maharashtra officials for seamless movement of the elephant. “Our priority for now is to see the elephant finds a way back to its original habitat in Maharashtra in a few days,” the officer said, adding if that does not work out, the authorities will have to explore other options.
Officer said that the animal is wild and is currently wandering into the fields of Tambose village. “We are monitoring his movement through drone surveillance as well as imprints. Our effort is to ensure that there is no animal-human conflict. We have to see that he doesn’t turn violent” officer said.
‘Omkar’, had raised concerns in Dodamarg taluka of Sindhudurg district for the past few days and before that was also involved in the alleged killing of a farmer. Last weekend, he crossed the Maharashtra-Goa border and entered Goa through Mopa village. However, the animal had later gone back to Maharashtra.
Officer said that ‘Omkar’ had twice crossed the Goa border but the people from the other side pushed him back to our region.
