Kathmandu, February 22

Expressing dissatisfaction with arbitrary appointments in various posts of the Ministry of Forest and Soil Conservation, foresters have demanded group-based appointments in subordinate bodies under the ministry.

Members of Nepal Foresters’ Association, Nepal Forest Technician Association of Nepal, and Junior Foresters’ Association have submitted a letter to ministry demanding group-based appointments.

Foresters expressed their concern as the ministry is preparing to appoint a candidate from non-forestry sector as the general manager of Timber Corporation Nepal. Sources said Forest Minister Shankar Bhandari is preparing to appoint his adviser Raju Laudari as the TCN GM. Laudari is also the assistant director of Alternative Energy Promotion Centre.

“As per the existing legal provision, only a forester with an experience of minimum 10 years should be appointed general manager of TCN. So we have been demanding appointment of a capable person in the post,” President of Nepal Foresters’ Association Shekhar Kumar Yadav told The Himalayan Times, “We warn the minister against appointing officials arbitrarily.”

Amid strong opposition, Minister Bhandari had made appointments in various vacant posts in the forestry sector. Violating existing law, Bhandari appointed Krishna Prasad Acharya, a wildlife conservationist, as the director general of the Department of Forests.

Not only that, Man Bahadur Khadka from the general forestry group was appointed director general of Department of National Park and Wildlife Conservation. Similarly,Bijaya Raj Poudyal from the general forestry group was appointed director general of Department of Soil Conservation and Watershed management.

There are six groups in forestry — general forestry, soil and water conservation, botany, national park and wildlife conservation, forest research and Hattisar.  Foresters have been crying foul ever since the minister began appointing officials from the Nepali Congress quota randomly.