Digital Goa, September 23, 2025 – Plans to capture and rehabilitate the wild elephant Omkar, which has been roaming in Torxem and nearby areas of Pernem, are expected to materialise only after the Dussehra festival on October 2. Forest Minister Vishwajeet Rane said the Goa government has sought help from Karnataka, which has the necessary expertise in elephant capture. The Karnataka Forest Minister has already issued directions to his department in this regard. However, Rane explained that the operation requires six to seven trained elephants, which are currently engaged in the Dussehra festival in Karnataka. He added that he has been in discussions with his counterpart in Karnataka to expedite support once the festival concludes. Meanwhile, Omkar continues to be sighted in Pernem, damaging crops and causing panic among villagers. Maharashtra minister had recently said that shifting elephants in the Tillari region to Reliance-run Vantara is under consideration. When asked if Goa has any such plan, Rane clarified that no such proposal has been received by the Goa government. “If a proposal comes, we can think about it,” he said.
