Elephant Omkar roams Pernem fields, officials warn people against provocation

NT Reporter

Pernem

Separated from its herd, a 10-year-old elephant named Omkar is now wandering through fields in Pernem taluka along the Goa-Maharashtra border.

On Thursday, the elephant was spotted moving in the fields of Tambose village, where it damaged banana, coconut, and paddy plantations. Its presence has left villagers anxious, with many unable to
leave their homes or visit their fields. Locals said that for several days they have not untied their cattle for grazing.

Deputy Collector of Pernem Shivprasad Naik and Pernem PI Sachin Lokre visited the site on Thursday to take stock of the situation. Large numbers of people from villages and even
from other parts of the taluka had gathered to see the elephant.

“We are trying to move the elephant into  Maharashtra. Safety of the people is our concern. We are trying to move him slowly and steadily as he moves ahead, because if he turns violent, it will be difficult to get him under control,” said a Forest Department official.

Naik said the Forest Department staff have been working day and night to push the elephant across the border.

“Twice he had almost crossed the border but the people from the other side pushed him towards this side. He is separated from his herd and will return only once he gets the signal but the public gathers in large numbers to see the animal which disturbs the work of department staff. There is a possibility that the elephant might get violent if he sees the people or react to the fire crackers that they burst. He might attack people and then people will blame the government and claim for compensation,” Naik said.

He said that Forest Department staff are trained and know the elephant’s body language. “People should avoid being at a spot in groups,” Naik said, warning that if people are found unnecessarily gathered in groups, they will be booked for hindering government servants from performing their duty.