Pozhuthan: Office of the Forest Department in Idiyam Vayal in Achooranam Beat, Kalpetta section of Wayanad district, is in dire need of vehicle and staff. The lack of staff and vehicle have crippled the Beat which has 3,700 hectares of forest area under its protective control.
The only Jeep in the office has been under maintenance for months. There are only two officers and two watchmen in the office.
The Achooranam Beat is notorious for wild elephant activities. The attacks have particularly increased in the past few months. A few days ago the officials had to tranquilize a wild elephant at Vengathod. The officials reached site in an auto rickshaw which was also attacked by the elephant. The officials narrowly escaped the attack.
Previously the officials were delayed when a Jaguar was trapped in a residential well in 6th Mile. For days the officials have been receiving complaints of a wild elephant attacking and damaging properties near the 12th Bridge.
Each time such incidents occur the forest officials have to hire a vehicle from Kalpetta to reach the troubled spots. They often have to face the wrath of the people for reaching late at the site. It is high time the department heeded the demand for more staff and vehicles for the office.