‘Lack of coordinated action’ forces Omkar back into Goa

Panaji: Despite efforts to guide the wild elephant, Omkar, back to Maharashtra, the gentle giant continues to find its way back to Goa.

Omkar is currently in the Kadshi-Mopa area of Pernem.

Goa forest officials said the matter has been taken up with their Maharashtra counterparts, but a “lack of coordinated action” is limiting effective management of the situation.

Forest teams from both states have attempted to guide the elephant using non-invasive methods such as drums and noise deterrents, but the efforts to drive the tusker toward Dongarpal were met with violent resistance. Sources said that some labourers on the Maharashtra side even pelted stones to block the elephant’s entry, while Sindhudurg authorities reportedly lit fires to divert the animal back into Goa.

As a result, the animal keeps returning from the Maharashtra side of the border into Goa.

This jurisdictional tug-of-war has left the elephant stranded in populated areas, heightening the risk to locals.

“Without safe passage with full coordination, repeated driving efforts are ineffective, as the elephant simply re-enters the same territory within the same day,” chief conservator of forests Naveen Kumar said.

“So far, Omkar’s movement has caused minor incidents, including damage to two vehicles that came in contact with it on a road. However, there has been no major targeted destruction of property or crops,” said Kumar. “The villagers have remained largely cooperative, avoiding confrontation and allowing the animal to pass safely.”

Earlier this week, a site visit was held by MLA Pravin Arlekar and forest officials to assess the mounting property damage.

At the ground level, Mopa sarpanch Subodh Mahale has urged residents to avoid nighttime travel in the village.
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