GUWAHATI: The Assam government has named Indian Forest Service officer Sonali Ghosh as the next field director of the renowned Kaziranga National Park, making her the first woman to hold this prestigious position in the park’s 118-year history.
Taking the reins from the incumbent director, Jatindra Sarma, who is set to retire on August 31, Ghosh will officially assume her role on September 1, this announcement was made on August 25 by the government, recognising her exceptional dedication to environmental preservation.
Ghosh, who is currently serving as the Chief Conservator of Forests for Research, Education and Working Plan, is no stranger to the world of conservation. With an impressive array of qualifications and accomplishments, she has earned a doctorate in remote-sensing technology focused on assessing habitat suitability for tigers in the Indo-Bhutan Manas landscape.
Born into a family with a strong military background, Ghosh’s affinity for forest and wildlife conservation developed early in life. Earning the distinction of being the topper of the Indian Forest Service batch of 2000-2003, her journey has been marked by unwavering commitment and a thirst for knowledge. Armed with multiple post-graduate degrees, including forestry and wildlife science, as well as a post-graduate diploma in Environmental Law from the esteemed National Law School of India, Ghosh’s educational foundation is robust and diverse.
Ghosh’s appointment as the field director of Kaziranga National Park carries with it a historic weight, reflecting the evolving landscape of gender roles in traditionally male-dominated fields.
