Srinagar (Jammu and Kashmir) [India], October 8 (ANI): Peoples Democratic Party chief Mehbooba Mufti on Thursday urged the Jammu and Kashmir government to review the eligibility criteria for Forester and Range Officer recruitment, backing BSc Forestry students who have been protesting over recognition of their degree for recruitment in the Forest Department.
In a post on X, Mehbooba said the students had been protesting for 17 days and observing a hunger strike for nine days, and urged the government to listen to their demands.
After 17 days of protests and 9 days on hunger strike, https://t.co/IoWRowtjCO. Forestry students still await a response. J&K’s Forestry graduates are fighting for the rightful recognition of their https://t.co/IoWRowtjCO. Forestry degree in Forest Dept recruitment. The J&K Government must review Forester & Range Officer eligibility criteria .Don’t ignore those trained to protect our forests. Listen to them without delay .
— Mehbooba Mufti (@MehboobaMufti) October 8, 2026
“After 17 days of protests and 9 days on a hunger strike, B.Sc. Forestry students still await a response. J&K’s Forestry graduates are fighting for the rightful recognition of their B.Sc. Forestry degree in Forest Dept recruitment. The J&K Government must review Forester & Range Officer eligibility criteria. Don’t ignore those trained to protect our forests. Listen to them without delay,” said Mufti.
The students of the Faculty of Forestry at Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir (SKUAST-K), Benhama, have been holding a peaceful protest against the proposed recruitment rules and eligibility criteria for the post of Forester in the Jammu and Kashmir Forest Department.
As of October 6, the students had continued their protest for the 16th consecutive day, while their hunger strike had entered its eighth day. The protest was organised in response to the Draft Recruitment Rules proposing eligibility criteria for direct recruitment to the post of Forester.
The protesting students have urged the government to reconsider and amend the proposed rules, demanding that candidates holding degrees in Forestry be given exclusive eligibility for the post of Forester and other forestry-related examinations.
The students have said the proposed changes could adversely affect the career prospects of those who have undergone specialised professional education in Forestry.
They have appealed to the government to safeguard the interests of Forestry graduates and ensure that their specialised qualifications are duly recognised and given appropriate consideration while framing recruitment rules.
The students have said they would continue their peaceful protest until their concerns are addressed by the authorities. (ANI)
