The ongoing debate over whether Omkar, the wandering tusker, is a menace or an unexpected visitor intensified on Thursday after the elephant was spotted feasting on a banana orchard in Pernem. Despite repeated attempts by residents to chase him away, the tusker continued to browse through banana trees, returning again around 8 p.m. to resume feeding.
Locals said they were left with no choice but to use live flames to push the elephant away from their homes, amid growing concerns over his repeated forays into residential areas. The animal has allegedly damaged plantations and even vehicles in recent weeks, prompting villagers to demand urgent intervention from the Forest Department. Residents have appealed for Omkar to be safely relocated to a protected habitat before the situation worsens.
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However, environmentalists have urged the community to avoid harassing the elephant, warning that aggressive attempts to drive him away could provoke panic and lead to dangerous behaviour. They emphasised the need for a coordinated, humane strategy to ensure both public safety and the animal’s well-being.
