Touseef Wani
GANDERBAL, SEPTEMBER 21: Raising concerns over the proposed changes in eligibility criteria for recruitment to the post of Forester, students of the Faculty of Forestry, SKUAST-K Benhama, staged a peaceful protest in Ganderbal on Monday.
The students opposed the provisions contained in the draft recruitment rules for direct recruitment to Forester posts, arguing that professional Forestry graduates should receive due consideration for positions directly related to their field of study.
Carrying their demand peacefully, the students appealed to the government to review the proposed recruitment framework and ensure exclusive eligibility for candidates holding degrees in Forestry for Forester posts and relevant forestry-related examinations.
The protesting students said they had invested years in specialised education and practical training in forestry and that any broadening of eligibility criteria could create additional competition for graduates who have specifically pursued Forestry as a professional discipline.
They urged the concerned authorities to examine the issue from the perspective of professional qualification and employment opportunities for Forestry graduates before finalising the draft rules.
The students also appealed to the government to engage with representatives of Forestry students and graduates and consider their concerns while framing the final recruitment policy.
