Daijiworld Media Network - Tamboxem

Tamboxem, Sep 29: The quiet border village of Tamboxem, about an hour from Panaji, is grappling with the aftermath of a rare and destructive visitor — a 10-year-old wild elephant named Omkar, whose playful but costly escapades have left crops flattened, fences broken and farmers anxious.

“Never has an elephant come to this village in the past half century,” said homemaker Anita Dhuri, surveying fields scarred since Omkar wandered in under moonlight on September 12 through the Tillari route. He ambled through Mopa and Ugvem before settling in Tamboxem, drawn by bananas, sugarcane, and the easy water of a Tiracol river rivulet.

Omkar’s antics included dragging a power tiller 50 metres and smashing its headlight, toppling coconut and arecanut trees, and scattering paddy after feasting on crops. Although he crossed into Maharashtra’s Satose on September 27, his deep footprints remain a reminder of the havoc.

Farmers estimate losses of over Rs 2 lakh, but say compensation has yet to arrive. “The agriculture department promised help, but no process has begun,” said farm worker Sundari Dhuri. Others, like Anisha Samant, whose livestock fodder was destroyed, lament that such losses aren’t covered under the state’s crop-loss scheme.

Local panch Dayanand Gawandi urged authorities to treat the case as exceptional: “These farmers need support. All affected must be compensated.”

Villagers resorted to traditional deterrents — burnt tyres, chili smoke and firecrackers — but Omkar repeatedly returned despite their efforts. “They keep scaring him back to Goa by lighting crackers and he keeps returning to our village,” said a resident.

With monsoon mist hanging over the Western Ghats, Tamboxem waits uneasily, hoping government action will bring relief — and that the mischievous elephant does not find his way back.