Written by Intern Queeny George M.H, Team Allycaral
A wild elephant named Omkar has become the center of a growing human-wildlife conflict in Goa, as he continues to damage farmland in the Tambos area of Pernem for three consecutive days. The Goa forest department has struggled to control the situation, drawing strong reactions from local farmers who are demanding immediate and high-level intervention.
In response, Goa Forest Minister Vishwajit Rane held a joint meeting with Karnataka Forest Minister Eshwar Khandre to seek a long-term and humane resolution. The discussion focused on the possibility of relocating Omkar to a rehabilitation camp in Karnataka where the elephant can receive proper care in a controlled environment. However, Karnataka has informed Goa that they will be able to take in Omkar only after Dussehra, due to logistical and festival-related constraints.
Rane emphasized the urgency of the issue, noting that Omkar is not just a threat to crops but a potential risk to human safety. “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,” he said.
Khandre confirmed Karnataka’s support but clarified that the relocation will be possible only after the Dussehra festivities conclude. Meanwhile, both ministers have also proposed a broader strategy to address such conflicts in a sustainable way. A tripartite agreement between Goa, Maharashtra, and Karnataka is in the works. This agreement aims to build inter-state coordination, enhance response capabilities, and implement collective wildlife management strategies.
This move is being seen as a significant step in addressing the rising number of human-elephant conflicts, particularly in the western and southern states of India, where forest corridors overlap with agricultural and residential zones.
While immediate relief for the farmers in Tambos is still awaited, the discussions signal a hopeful shift towards regional collaboration in wildlife conservation and conflict resolution.
