Editor,

I wish to draw the attention of the Government of Arunachal Pradesh to the genuine concerns and demands raised by the Forestry Students' Association of Arunachal (FoSAA) during its peaceful dharna held at IG Park, Itanagar, on 9 October, 2026.

Forestry is a specialised professional discipline involving scientific forest management, biodiversity conservation, environmental protection, wildlife management, climate change mitigation and sustainable utilisation of natural resources.

Arunachal Pradesh, being one of India's most forest-rich states, requires professionally qualified and technically competent personnel for effective management and conservation of its valuable forest resources.

In this context, the concerns expressed by forestry students and graduates deserve serious consideration by the state government.

Demands and recommendations

1. The government should initiate a comprehensive review and necessary amendment of the existing recruitment rules governing appointments to the Forest Department, particularly for the posts of range forest officer (RFO), assistant conservator of forests (ACF) and other technical forestry positions.

2. Separate and clearly defined professional eligibility criteria should be framed for technical forestry posts, recognising the specialised academic qualifications of candidates possessing BSc forestry, MSc forestry and other relevant recognised degrees. Suitable provisions should ensure that professionally trained forestry graduates receive fair consideration in recruitment without compromising constitutional principles of equality and merit.

3. The government should take immediate steps, in consultation with the Arunachal Pradesh Public Service Commission (APPSC), to examine the reintroduction of forestry as an optional subject in the Arunachal Pradesh Public Service Combined Competitive Examination (APPSCCE). This would provide forestry graduates an opportunity to compete through their specialised academic knowledge, subject to the overall examination framework and applicable rules.

4. The government should review the existing examination patterns, eligibility conditions, syllabus and selection procedures for RFO and ACF recruitment. Pending such review, the authorities may examine the FoSAA's request regarding fresh examinations, while safeguarding the interests of candidates already participating in recruitment processes.

5. A committee comprising representatives of the Department of Environment, Forests and Climate Change, APPSC, Personnel Department, forestry academic experts and FoSAA should be constituted to examine the demands and recommend necessary reforms within a stipulated timeframe.

My sincere appeal

I earnestly appeal to the chief minister, the forests minister, chief secretary, and authorities of the state government to initiate an immediate consultative meeting with the FoSAA and take appropriate action on its three-point charter of demands.

The legitimate academic qualifications and professional expertise of forestry graduates should receive due recognition in the state's recruitment framework.

At the same time, all reforms must uphold transparency, merit, equal opportunity and the constitutional safeguards applicable to public employment.

I further appeal to the FoSAA and all students concerned to continue pursuing their demands through peaceful, democratic and constructive dialogue. Protecting Arunachal's forests requires not only strong environmental policies but also the recognition and effective utilisation of professionally trained forestry manpower.

I hope that the Government of Arunachal Pradesh will examine these important issues sympathetically and initiate appropriate action at the earliest.

Ajay Murtem,

Chairman,

Citizens Right

Protection Forum