Students of Ponnampet Forestry College held protests at Ponnampet on Thursday condemning reduction in reservation for their students in the forest department. Over 400 students stepped onto the streets and condemned the new move taken by the state. "Reservation of up to 75% was in place for the graduates of forestry in DRFO, RFO and ACF posts in Forest department. This provided a strong foundation to students who studied in Forestry colleges. However, the reservation has been dropped down to 50% and this is injustice done towards students taking up BSc in Forestry," said one of the protesting students.
The students condemned the dip in reservation and demanded 100% reservation in the department for forestry graduates. "We have opted for education in forestry subject and we are being taught scientifically on the ways to preserve and protect the forest. We have dedicated our student life to learning the ways of the ecosystem and we have ambitions of preserving nature by becoming reputed forest officers. We are studying with the hope that we will be placed in the forest department. However, it is condemnable that the reservation for forestry graduates has reduced to 50%. We will protest to avail 100% reservation in the department for forestry graduates," said Saundarya, one of the students.
The students of the college protested by marching across Ponnampet town even as they cleaned the roads of litter. "We will gain momentum by involving ourselves in public service alongside fighting for our right," students said.
