Mapusa: A lone wild elephant, Omkar, has sparked concern across Pernem taluka after shifting his movement from the Mopa plateau toward the fertile belts of Torsem and Tambose. The tusker has already left a trail of destruction in its wake, ravaging the orchards of local farmer Shatrughan Parab.
The elephant’s progression toward Tambose—an area dense with agricultural plantations—has heightened concerns, with locals accusing state govt and the forest department of apathy.Farmers in the region, who are currently tending to diverse crops including chilli, groundnut, maize, gram, linseed, and rice, fear economic ruin. Despite requests from MLA Pravin Arlekar to govt to secure the area, field action remains non-existent.The farmers of Torsem are scared as large quantities of crops like chilli, pulses, groundnut, maize, gram and rice are grown in this area.“We are living in constant fear. Our crops are being trampled, and yet the authorities seem to be spectators,” said farmer Chetan Sawant.Sources said that forest guards are monitoring the elephant’s tracks, but no concrete measures have been taken to relocate the animal. Residents have now issued an ultimatum to govt for immediate intervention before the conflict escalates.
