Panaji: The sub-adult elephant named Omkar, which reportedly strayed from its herd in Maharashtra, was sighted near the Goa border over the weekend, prompting vigilance by forest officials.According to forest department sources, the elephant is currently about two kilometres from the Goa border in Maharashtra’s Dodamarg area. Goa forest teams stationed along the border are in constant coordination with their Maharashtra counterparts.Around 25 forest personnel have been deployed in rotating shifts, ensuring at least 15 are on duty at any given time. “Our teams are camping at the border. We are prepared in case it moves towards Goa again,” a forest official said.Officials said continuous monitoring is essential to prevent human-animal conflict and ensure safety of both the animal and residents. Villagers in border areas have been advised to remain cautious and report sightings.TOI had reported in Sept last year that the elephant spent a month in Goa’s northernmost villages — Tamboxem, Ugvem and Mopa — raiding plantations and destroying crops. It later returned to Maharashtra and reunited with its herd in Jan this year.
