A renewed wave of fear and anxiety has swept through the border villages of Pernem in North Goa, as the sub-adult wild elephant known locally as Omkar has returned from Maharashtra and resumed a destructive spree. The villages of Parascade, Nigalye, Tambose, Ugvem, Mopa, and Torxem are bearing the brunt of this fresh rampage, which has severely disrupted daily life and instilled terror in the community.
School Attendance Plummets Amid Elephant Scare
The immediate and most palpable impact of the elephant's return has been on education. At least 14 to 15 students have avoided attending school for two consecutive days due to sheer fright, according to local residents. The fear is rooted in direct encounters with the animal on routes to educational institutions.
Prem Toraskar, a Class IX student from Shetyewada in Torxem, shared his harrowing experience. He and others were on their way to school when they spotted the elephant on the pathway. "We were frightened and avoided going to school and returned home," he recounted. This sentiment is echoed by parents, who are now reluctant to send their children to classes. Arjun Veer, a local, pointed out that the extensive damage to plantations flanking the school routes has amplified parental fears for their children's safety.
Nights of Destruction: Farms, Infrastructure, and Vehicles Targeted
For the third consecutive night, Omkar has been on a relentless rampage, causing significant property damage. The elephant's targets have been diverse, ranging from agricultural land to critical infrastructure and personal vehicles.
Ugvem sarpanch Subodh Mahale provided insights into the elephant's behavior, noting that while it has not harmed humans in Goa, it appears agitated by certain colors. "It looks like he gets disturbed while seeing red or white colour vehicles. At least five to six cars have been damaged," Mahale stated, explaining another reason for the heightened fear among parents.
The scale of destruction is substantial. A water tank and an electric pump belonging to local farmer Shantaram Naik were severely damaged. Furthermore, Omkar has wreaked havoc on banana and arecanut plantations, inflicting heavy financial losses on the farming community in the area.
Community Patience Wears Thin, Demands Concrete Action
Frustration is mounting among the residents, who feel their lives and livelihoods are under constant threat. Community leaders, including sarpanch Subodh Mahale and former sarpanch Shashikant Mahale, are leading the call for immediate and effective intervention from the authorities.
The locals have issued a stern warning, indicating they may resort to public action if a long-term solution is not swiftly secured. Their primary demand is clear: the forest department must prioritize capturing or driving the elephant away from human settlements. They emphasize that merely announcing compensation for damages is an insufficient response to an ongoing crisis that poses a serious risk to both life and property. The community's plea is for proactive measures to ensure safety, rather than reactive compensation after each incident of destruction.
