K’taka tells Goa it will take elephant only after Dussehra

Panaji/Mapusa: The forest department is failing to control the wild elephant, Omkar, that has been destroying fields in Tambos

e in Pernem for three consecutive days (on Sunday). The farmers are demanding that govt take high-level measures to control the animal.

In a joint meeting, Goa forest minister Vishwajit Rane and Karnataka forest minister Eshwar Khandre discussed a collaborative approach to tackling the rising issue of human-elephant conflict.

“The immediate issue before us is Omkar, the elephant who moved into Goa from Maharashtra and has been destroying crops. As part of the deliberations, we requested that Omkar be rehabilitated at the Karnataka camp, where he can be given the care and environment he requires,” Rane said.

The resolution is that this matter will be acted upon within the next 14 days, said Rane.

“Our discussions focused on the need for a tripartite agreement between Goa, Maharashtra, and Karnataka, aimed at building capacity and implementing coordinated strategies to mitigate human-elephant conflict across the region. Such collective action will strengthen our efforts towards ensuring safety for both communities and wildlife,” Rane said.

Khandre confirmed that the Karnataka forest department will assist in relocating Omkar to a rehabilitation camp in Karnataka after Dussehra.

“Karnataka forest department specialises in elephant capture operations, promising our experts and team to move to Goa after Dussehra Mahotsava,” he said.

There is a proposal to capture all the elephants in Dodamarg taluka, including ‘Omkar’, and move them to Vantara, said Sawantwadi MLA Deepak Kesarkar.

Separated from its herd from the Tillari region of Maharashtra, the 10-year-old Omkar targeted Tambose, Mopa, and Torse areas. Tambose is in close proximity to Manohar International Airport, Mopa. The elephant has been in Tambose since, targeting paddy, arecanut crops, banana plantations, coconut trees, etc.