Kottayam: Out of the 788 vehicles owned by the Kerala Forest Department, as many as 150 are currently lying idle — crippled by age, poor maintenance, and regulatory restrictions. The department’s fleet includes cars, jeeps, minibuses, and mini-lorries.

According to officials, many of these vehicles have been taken off the road due to ageing, inadequate upkeep, and delays in essential repairs. The department was also hit by the Central Government’s rule prohibiting the use of vehicles older than 15 years. Although the Centre later relaxed the rule, allowing such vehicles to operate for an additional five years after repairs, the decision came too late — by then, most had already become unfit for service.

The vehicle shortage has severely hampered the department’s ability to reach forest fringes for inspections and respond to emergencies. In many cases, forest officers are now forced to hire private vehicles for official duties.

In the high-range regions, the department primarily depends on jeeps to navigate rugged terrain. These vehicles are crucial for reaching sites of animal attacks and assisting the movement of Rapid Response Teams.