வனக்கல்லூரி மாணவர்கள் போராட்டம்

Forest College students go on strike

Staff Reporter "THE HINDU" 22nd November

They seek recruitment prospects for B.Sc Forestry graduates as Forest Rangers (Apprentices)

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Earmarking 25 per cent of the posts in the Forest Department recommended

But no Government Orders issued in this connection

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Coimbatore: Seeking recruitment prospects for B.Sc Forestry graduates as Forest Rangers (Apprentices), students of the Forest College of Tamil Nadu Agricultural University have commenced an indefinite strike on Saturday.

The students pointed out that the National Commission on Agriculture recommended that the agricultural universities in the country should take up Forestry Education in order to meet the manpower needs of Forestry. Based on this, the Department of Environment and Forestry, Government of India, took the initiative to start B.Sc (Forestry) programme in State Agricultural Universities.

Accordingly, 14 agricultural universities started B.Sc Forestry programmes. As per the State Planning Commission recommendations of 1972, the TNAU also started a four-year professional degree during 1985-86 and M.Sc Forestry in 1989-90.

Admission to the course was done based on Common Entrance Examination conducted by the government till the recent past. Students were also asked to have minimum physical standards prescribed by the Forest Department for recruitment.

Demands of the students had been discussed over the years and detailed proposals were sent to the government to take a policy decision to give preference to Forestry graduates in the recruitment to various positions available in the Forest Department (as Forest Rangers and Assistant Conservators of Forest).

The government referred the issue to the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF). The university was communicated that the PCCF had recommended 25 per cent of the posts in the Forest Department may be exclusively earmarked for B.Sc and M.Sc Forestry students. However, as of now no Government Orders were issued in this connection.

Appointing apprentices, who were non-forestry graduates selected by TNSPC and giving two-year training at Rangers Training College would only result in waste of the government money besides injustice to qualified Forestry graduates.

The B.Sc Forestry course was prepared by experts and six-month Forest Range training was also given to the students.

These adequately trained Forestry professionals with scientific knowledge in modern conservation and management strategies would be able to fulfil the present and future management needs in the forestry sector.

The Forest Policy of 1988 stressed the need for professionally qualified persons in managing forestry sector. Convinced of the importance of Forestry professionals, Jammu and Kashmir had 100 per cent reservation, Karnataka had revised it to 80 per cent from 50 per cent and it was 50 per cent for Assistant Conservator of Forests), Kerala 25 per cent, Bihar 50 per cent, Orissa 25 per cent, Haryana 70 per cent and Himachal Pradesh 70 per cent reservation for Forestry graduates.

The students had filed a writ before the Madras High Court demanding reservation on September 24, 2009 and the court had sought a reply from the State Government within 12 weeks. But as on date, the Tamil Nadu State Public Service Commission had published an advertisement stating direct recruitment of 80 vacancies to the post of Forest Apprentices through TNPSC examinations.

Under such circumstances, the students had begun an indefinite strike from Saturday to draw the attention of the government towards the 25-year-long pending demand on direct recruitment as Forest Rangers. The students had planned to submit a petition to the District Collector on November 23 addressed to the Chief Minister.

Forestry students seek reservation

November 24th, 2009

By Our Correspondent Deccan Chroncle

Coimbatore

Nov. 23: Students of the Forest College and Research Institute who are on an indefinite strike demanding 45 per cent reservation in the recruitment of forest rangers called for by Tamil Nadu State Public Service Commission (TNPSC), on Monday, tonsured their heads to protest the ‘injustice’ being meted out to qualified forestry graduates. TNPSC has announced direct recruitment of 80 vacancies to the post of forest apprentices through TNPSC examinations.

“Appointing non forestry graduates and also civil and mechanical engineers for the post of forest rangers and assistant conservator of forests, as called for by TNPSC is ‘unfair’ and could result in the wastage of Government money. There has been no review on the recruitment procedure after 1983, when there were no dedicated forest colleges. Twenty one batches have passed out so far in the forest college at Mettupalayam. And every year there is an outcry, we are promised reservations but nothing has happened in the past 26 years,” the students of the college lamented.

The forest policy of 1988 stressed the need for professionally qualified persons in managing forestry sector. Convinced of the importance of forestry professionals, J&K had 100 per cent reservation, Karnataka had revised it to 80 per cent and it was 50 per cent (for assistant conservator of Forests), and HP 70 per cent reservation for forestry graduates.

“If the forestry students are not given a fair deal just as those graduating out of any other professional course, the Tamil Nadu Green Movement will move HC to stay the recruitment process and a PIL will be filed very shortly. It is illogical to reject qualified forest graduates and recruit civil and mechanical engineers who need to be trained in forestry from scratch,” secretary of TN Green Movement Jayachandran said.

THE HINDU
Date:10/01/2010 URL:
http://www.thehindu.com/2010/01/10/stories/2010011054580500.htm

Forest College students threaten stir

Staff Reporter

Coimbatore: B.Sc and M.Sc students of the Forest College and Research Institute at Mettuppalayam have decided to go on an indefinite fast, they told reporters here today.

Employment
The students had been on strike for the last 50 days demanding employment prospects for the post of Rangers and Assistant Conservator of Forests in the Tamil Nadu Forest Department. Recently the Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission has invited applications to fill the posts of Rangers from the open category. The students say the B.Sc and M.Sc Forestry courses were designed to provide skilled workers to the Forest Department. The decision was taken following the recommendations of the Planning Commission.

Many of the States had reserved a certain per cent of posts in the Forest Department for the
students of Forestry courses. The forest college was remaining closed for two months and students were asked to vacate the hostel.
Students said the forcible removal by police on Friday had caused injuries to five students and they were denied treatment at the Medical College Hospital.

Action sought
The students have sought action against the police officers responsible for the forcible action.