PERNEM
Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations were dampened for many farmers in Tambose-Pernem after the wild elephant ‘Omkar’ entered the village on Wednesday morning and damaged agricultural and horticultural crops. Angry farmers criticised the authorities for failing to find a permanent solution to the elephant’s movement in the area. They questioned whether they would now have to guard their fields day and night instead of worshipping Ganpati and celebrating the festival with their families.
Farmers claimed that Omkar had caused extensive damage to agriculture and horticulture in the area last year as well. “The elephant has returned to this area. Over the past few days, it has damaged crops while roaming through Mopa, Kalshi, Tambose and Torse,” said a farmer.
While Forest Department officials said their staff were keeping a close watch on Omkar’s movements, locals demanded an effective mechanism to control the elephant’s movements, along with the deployment of trained experts and mahouts. They also called for concrete measures through coordination between the Goa and Maharashtra Forest Departments.
Local panch member and farmer Daya Gawandi said the elephant had repeatedly entered the area and caused extensive damage to agriculture.
“Now, during Ganesh Chaturthi, Omkar has come again. Despite having Ganpati at home, farmers have to run around to protect their crops. Will arrangements to deal with Omkar be made only after a march is taken out to the minister’s house? Will the government wake up only after Omkar reaches Sattari?” asked Gawandi.
He said farmers’ experience with the process of claiming compensation for crop losses, as well as the amount actually received, had not been satisfactory. Gawandi also demanded that aspiring candidates going door to door ahead of the elections pay attention to the issue and work towards finding a permanent solution to the problem caused by Omkar.
Retired engineer Vilas Tamboskar visited plantations in Tambose and inspected the damage caused by the elephant.
He said that although Forest Department officials and staff were trying to control the elephant, their efforts were limited to moving it from one area to another due to a lack of necessary equipment and an effective mechanism. “This issue is now arising frequently. The government should take concrete measures to permanently control Omkar so that farmers do not continue to suffer losses and live in fear,” said Tamboskar.
Farmer Madhusudan Samant said farmers had developed their farms and orchards through years of hard work and considerable expense.
“However, a single elephant can destroy months of hard work. There are complaints that compensation is not provided on time after damage occurs and, even when it is received, it is inadequate compared to the actual losses. Therefore, instead of providing compensation after the damage is done, the government must find a permanent solution to prevent such damage in the first place,” said Samant.
