After a gap of four months, the wild elephant “Omkar” on Monday returned to torment farmers in Mopa, Tambose and Ugvem areas of Pernem by destroying plantations and other crops.
Paying compensation to the affected farmers will not solve the problem. Forest teams have intervened multiple times, but efforts to drive the elephant away have only temporarily displaced it, with the animal reportedly being pushed back and forth across the Goa-Maharashtra border.
Some months back the elephant has also damaged two-wheelers and cars parked in Uguem village creating panic among the residents. The locals fear that the tusker could also attack people, leading to possible loss of life.
It is pertinent to note that ‘Vantara’ is a wildlife rescue and rehabilitation center located within the Reliance Industries' Jamnagar refinery complex. Spanning over 3,000 acres, Vantara serves as a global rescue, rehabilitation, and conservation center with a focus on providing care for the animals and has over 200 elephants.
The Goa government could try to get in touch with officials of Vantara and see whether Omkar could be shifted to this animal rescue and rehabilitation centre in Gujarat.
ADELMO FERNANDES, Vasco
