Daijiworld Media Network - Mopa
Mopa, Aug 25: After a gap of four months, wild elephant ‘Omkar’ returned to the Mopa, Tambose and Ugvem areas of Pernem taluka on Monday, damaging plantations and crops and leaving farmers worried about their livelihoods.
Farmers have criticised the state government's alleged failure to find a permanent solution to the recurring elephant menace. They said that instead of offering compensation after crops are destroyed, the government should permanently relocate Omkar to protect agricultural land and the livelihoods of farmers.
The elephant also remained on the main road in Mopa for nearly two hours on Monday, resulting in traffic congestion on both sides.
Speaking to reporters, farmer and former sarpanch Shashikant Mahale, panch member Dayanand (Daya) Gavandi, former panch member Ashok Parab and other farmers described the losses and difficulties caused by the elephant.
Mahale said Omkar had damaged his orchard on three occasions, destroying banana and papaya crops.
“Bananas and papayas have been destroyed. The trees I planted four years ago and nurtured like children have been completely destroyed by Omkar. How can I measure this loss merely in monetary terms?” he asked.
Mahale urged the government to permanently relocate the elephant instead of repeatedly offering compensation after farmers suffer losses.
“If farmers get a safe environment, unemployed youth will turn towards agriculture and horticulture. But today, even those working hard in their farms are unsure whether their produce will remain safe,” he said.
Panch member Dayanand (Daya) Gavandi said Omkar had previously entered the area in April and warned that repeated crop destruction could seriously affect farmers.
“We do not want compensation from the government. We have developed our plantations through hard work, and the income from them is enough for us. The government should only protect the source of income we have created through our hard work. Elephants coming every few months, destroying crops and then discussing compensation is not a solution,” Gavandi said.
He demanded that the Forest Department announce time-bound and effective measures to permanently resolve the problem caused by Omkar.
Former panch member Ashok Parab also sought a permanent solution, questioning why adequate arrangements had not been made despite the elephant repeatedly entering agricultural areas.
“Every time Omkar comes, a large number of plantations are destroyed. Why has there been no permanent arrangement till now? How much more damage has to occur before the government finally takes a decision?” Parab asked.
The farmers urged the authorities to act before further crop losses occur and ensure that agricultural activities in the affected areas can continue without the recurring threat posed by the wild elephant.