Students of the Forest College and Research Institute, Mettupalayam, asked Tamil Nadu Government to give preference to them in the appointment of Forest Rangers.
In a petition, the students said that the government choosing to fill the rangers’ post through promotion was against the law.
It led to a situation where the average age of the Forest Rangers became 50 plus. The government should give preference to the students of the college.
The result of the examination conducted in 2011 to fill the posts of rangers should be released.
The government should give preference for the college students in appointments to Tantea, Tamil Nadu Forest Plantation Corporation Limited, Tamil Nadu Paper Limited, and other department allied to forests.
As in other states, the government should allot 50 per cent of the Assistant Conservator of Forest posts to M.Sc. Forestry students, and should appoint forest extension officers.
The students said that they would continue their protest till these demands were met.