Pernem: As elephant Omkar, which strayed into Goa’s border villages from neighbouring Maharashtra, continues to damage crops, the State Agriculture Department has assured compensation to affected farmers.
Omkar, a 10-year-old tusker, has been foraging in the villages of Pernem taluka for over a week. Currently stationed at Tamboxem, the elephant has damaged paddy fields and consumed bananas and other farm produce.
Local farmers have been demanding Omkar’s immediate removal to prevent further losses.
State Director of Agriculture, Sandeep Foldessai, said on Monday that the department will assess the damage and provide timely relief.
“We will compensate the farmers based on the damage caused. The compensation will be released as soon as possible,” he said, adding that surveys can only be conducted after the elephant is rescued from the area.
Foldessai confirmed his department has been closely monitoring the situation in Tamboxem village.
During a meeting with senior Forest Department officials, including Conservator of Forest Navin Kumar, farmers expressed concern that compensation might be delayed or meagre.
“There are times when the Forest Department provides a meagre compensation for the farmers, and it takes time for the money to reach them,” said Madhusudhan Samant, a local farmer and former deputy sarpanch.
Kumar assured that farmers would be adequately compensated since the Forest Department is represented on the committee that finalises claims in such cases.
Meanwhile, Omkar continued foraging in Tamboxem’s paddy fields on Monday, often appearing briefly before retreating into the thick grass around the village.
