https://indianmasterminds.com

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Operation Omkar: How Goa, Karnataka & Maharashtra Are Racing to Rewild a Young Elephant

At the heart of India’s Western Ghats, a young tusker named Omkar has sparked an unprecedented three-state wildlife operation. Maharashtra, Goa, and Karnataka have joined forces to safely capture and rehabilitate the 10-year-old elephant, who strayed from his herd and wandered into human settlements, causing crop damage and one fatality. The coordinated effort—codenamed Operation Omkar—blends technology, traditional expertise, and cross-border cooperation.
Indian Masterminds Stories

At just 10 years old, Omkar has become the centre of an extraordinary interstate wildlife mission. Separated from his herd in Sindhudurg (Maharashtra) earlier this year, the young elephant wandered into northern Goa and began foraging in farmland near Tamboxem village, damaging banana, coconut, and paddy crops. 

The situation has compelled Maharashtra, Goa and Karnataka to unite under a common goal: guiding Omkar back into the wild and restoring his natural path. Goa’s forest department requested Karnataka’s kumki elephants and expert mahouts, while Maharashtra is preparing to receive Omkar for rehabilitation.

Speaking Exclusively to Indian Masterminds, G. Guruprasad, Conservator of Forests (CCF), Kolhapur, said,

“We have received the official order to capture Elephant Omkar. Currently, we are waiting for assistance from the Karnataka Forest Department. The elephant has largely settled in Maharashtra, though he has been temporarily sighted moving towards Goa.

The capture order remains valid till December 31. It was issued following one human fatality and extensive crop damage reported in April. Once the monsoon stops fully, we will proceed with the capture strategy.

We are also awaiting a trained, technical mahout from Karnataka or any other state that can provide expert assistance in handling the operation.”

The rescue plan is both delicate and complex. Teams of over 60 forest officials, along with veterinarians, will deploy thermal imaging, drones, and on-ground trackers, to monitor and eventually tranquilize Omkar without causing distress.  After sedation, he could be lifted in a crane and transported to a secure elephant camp in Maharashtra—fitted with a radio collar for future monitoring. 

Shoumita Biswas, former Head of Forest Force, Maharashtra who superannuated recently says, “In my opinion, wild elephants should live in the wild. So, we must focus on creating and protecting their natural habitat. Currently, the corridor connecting three states—Goa, Karnataka, and Maharashtra—is fragmented. That is why elephants are actively moving into the fields. We need to work on corridor development, and technology can play a major role in this.

Earlier, a pilot project was done in Hansa, where drone-enabled thermal cameras were used to generate timely alerts. This helped reduce human-wildlife interaction to a great extent. There should be a system to generate such timely alerts regularly. The forest department and villagers need to take preventive measures to protect their crops and other important assets.

There are three key steps we must focus on: first, corridor development; second, timely tracking; and third, involving the community. A QRT team should be formed, comprising forest officials as well as villagers, so that if a wild elephant is spotted, communication can happen immediately.

In West Bengal’s Hukula and in Gadchiroli too, similar measures have been taken. There are also other ways to drive elephants away from fields, but ultimately, we need a collaborative strategy to mitigate the issue and ensure both human and elephant safety.”

While villagers suffer crop losses, they have largely shown cooperation, working with officials to minimize conflict.  Operation Omkar stands as a rare example of cross-state collaboration to protect wildlife, reinforce corridors, and prove that conservation—and coexistence—can transcend borders.


Indian Masterminds Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Related Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
NEWS
POWERGRID Celebrates 36th Raising Day
POWERGRID Celebrates 36th Raising Day, Showcases Achievements in Power Transmission and Renewable Integration
Satpura Tiger Reserve
Satpura Tiger Reserve Sees New Tiger Cubs; Jhalai’s First Litter Captured
Madhya Pradesh Logo IM
Hotel & Resort Operators Can Now Conduct Jungle Safaris in MP Tiger Reserves
Sanjiv Bhatt Custodial Torture Case
Gujarat High Court Rejects Sanjiv Bhatt’s First-Class Prisoner Status Plea
Yogi Adityanath
Samarth Uttar Pradesh @2047: Over 53 Lakh Citizens Share Vision for Yogi Adityanath’s Prosperity Campaign
Haryana gov resized
Haryana Government Assigns Additional Charges to Three IAS Officers
Vishnu Deo Sai CM
Record-Breaking Diwali Trade in Chhattisgarh: Rs. 16,000 Crore Boost Fuels Economic Growth and 'Vocal for Local' Movement
CM Vishnu Sai Sohrai Karma Mahotsav 2025
Chhattisgarh CM Vishnu Sai Celebrates Sohrai Karma Mahotsav 2025, Announces Major Grants and Development Projects for Rautia Community
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
WhatsApp Image 2025-10-23 at 10.40
Everybody Needs To Know What Is Transpiring Behind Closed Doors Of Courts
WhatsApp Image 2025-10-19 at 12.23
UPSC Journey Should Be Enjoyable, Not Cumbersome
WhatsApp Image 2025-10-16 at 15.16
The Many Facets of Former IRS Officer and Author, Giselle Mehta | Video Interview
ADVERTISEMENT
UPSC Stories
Parmeshwar Chaudhary RAS
From Taunts to Triumph: How Farmer’s Son Parmeshwar Chaudhary Rose from Lab Assistant to SDM, Securing Rank 3 in RAS 2023
Parmeshwar, once taunted over his SI selection, has scripted a stunning success—securing Rank 3 in RAS...
IAS Rupal Rana UPSC
How Rupal Rana Cracked UPSC CSE 2023 with AIR 26 After Four Attempts
UPSC Topper Rupal Rana secured AIR 26 in 2023 after four attempts. Learn her preparation strategy, booklist,...
Ankita Parashar RAS 2023
4 Attempts, 1 Dream, 0 Excuses: Meet RAS Topper Ankita Parashar, Who Fulfilled a Daughter’s Promise & Secured Rank 2 | Exclusive Interview
Ankita Parashar, a teacher-turned-officer from Pushkar, fulfilled her late father’s dream by securing...
Social Media
IFS Parveen Kaswan
Heartbreak by the River: 15-Day-Old Elephant Calf Rejected by Mother, Rescued by IFS Parveen Kaswan and His Team
Jaldapra, West Bengal: In a moving incident that tugs at the heart, a 15-day-old elephant calf was rescued...
Ashwini Bhide IAS and Anand Mahindra
Who Is IAS Ashwini Bhide, Hailed as a Role Model for Mumbai Metro Transformation by Anand Mahindra?
From heritage to high-tech: Bhide’s leadership in Metro Line 3 earns public praise and admiration
World Rhino Day India
On World Rhino Day, IFS Officer Parveen Kaswan Shares Rare Insights - India Now Hosts 80% of the World’s One-Horned Rhinos
September 22 Marks Global Call for Rhino Conservation; India Holds 80% of World’s Greater One-Horned...
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Latest
POWERGRID Celebrates 36th Raising Day
POWERGRID Celebrates 36th Raising Day, Showcases Achievements in Power Transmission and Renewable Integration
Parmeshwar Chaudhary RAS
From Taunts to Triumph: How Farmer’s Son Parmeshwar Chaudhary Rose from Lab Assistant to SDM, Securing Rank 3 in RAS 2023
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
WhatsApp Image 2025-10-23 at 10.40
WhatsApp Image 2025-10-19 at 12.23
WhatsApp Image 2025-10-16 at 15.16
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT