After setting up reading room, forest dept restricts visitors to central library | Thiruvananthapuram News
Thiruvananthapuram: In a clear case of bureaucracy working at cross-purposes, the forest department has put in restrictions for public access, including for students, to its central library, despite setting up a reading room, children’s area and literature section as part of a renovation project supported by the Union ministry of forests and USAID.After the establishment of Chandanathanal – a reference section and reading room – and the Greenvally Garden Library in the corridor of the heritage building, several students began using the facilities to prepare for competitive examinations as the ambience is good and it is free.This is in addition to the research students who come to refer the books and old records that date back to the time much before the forest department was set up. The facility saw increased patronage from students preparing for competitive examinations after posts and Instagram reels about it began circulating on social media a couple of years ago.However, the presence of students did not go down well with the employees, trade unions and officials who have restricted facilities, including access to toilets located on the campus.A notice posted at the gate of the library says that visitors will not be allowed to park their vehicles, should not consume food on the premises, should not access other areas of the campus, should not walk around and read books. Access to other areas of the campus was restricted after students were found using the campus toilets.Though the note says the rules have been framed to ensure better public use of the library and improve its functioning, they appear to have had the opposite effect. Sources said that the patronage for reading has dropped by 70%. Last week, only 10–20 students were using the reading room, while the other areas remained empty.With no toilets or food facilities, students and others are reluctant to visit though it was particularly attractive because private reading rooms in the city charge hefty fees.Rajasekharan Pillai, a history enthusiast, said the forest department should provide more facilities for the visitors. “It is unfortunate that the department is trying to dissuade people by imposing restrictions. At a time when students are increasingly turning away from libraries, officials should encourage visitors, especially after investing in facilities for public use,” he said.The library, primarily meant for forest department staff and research scholars, that was opened up for the public and the students a few years ago, has around 28,000 books, including reference materials on forestry, botany, zoology, environmental science, agriculture and management. It also houses administrative reports, research publications, census reports, and proceedings of historic legislative assemblies such as the Sree Moolam Popular Assembly, Sree Chitra Thirunal Popular Assembly and Kerala Legislative Assembly.
