Bhubaneswar: Ace IFS Officer and PCCF (Wildlife) Susanta Nanda superannuated from service on yesterday after having a remarkable tenure in the State Government.
A 1989 batch IFS officer, Shri Nanda assumed the charge of PCCF (Wildlife)-cum-Chief Wildlife Warden in November 2023. Prior to that, he had served in different positions and capacities in the State.
Joined IFS in 1989, Shri Nanda has worked in Bonai, Jeypore, Ghumusur Forest Divisions. A true nature lover and wildlife enthusiast Shri Nanda was the First Field Director of Satkosia Tiger Reserve.
He has varied experience while serving in Departments of SC & ST Development, Food, Supply and Consumer Welfare and Horticulture Directorate. Shri Nanda served as Project Director OFSDP before joining as CE CDA.
He was awarded the highest award in Forestry in India, Indira Priyadarshini Brikhyamitra Puraskar in 2007, for his outstanding contribution to the Forest and Environment Sector.
He had also served as Managing Director of TDCC and Mission Director of OTELP, which is considered as the Hall Mark of his distinguished career.
In his brief stint as the State Wildlife Organization Chief, the ace nature and wildlife lover has been credited with bringing many reforms in the sector.
Shri Nanda played a crucial role in the introduction of AI cameras for better forest monitoring and the translocation of two tigers from the Central India landscape to Similipal to bring about the genetic diversity of the big cat population in the tiger reserve.
“Started the beautiful journey as a forest officer way back in 1989. As I step into the final weeks journey of these exhilarating 424 months as an IFS officer, the work place as below, has not only been sheer bliss but may be the best that anyone can ask for,” Nada wrote on his social media account on X.
When someone asked about his future course of action, Shri Nanda said, “To pen down the experience of these years of service for posterity.”
Speaking to a news channel, he expressed happiness about the milestones he has achieved during his career, which includes reintroduction of tigers in three tiger reserves of the State and control wild animal poaching, establishment of special courts to trial case related wildlife crimes and many more.
Two tigers have already been introduced in Similipal Tiger Reserve while Satkosia and Debrigarh will also get tigers soon, he said, adding, “My successor will definitely take it forward.”
The most significant achievement in his career is establishment of the special courts to hear wildlife crimes. The government may also move forward on appointment of special public prosecutors for these courts, Shri Nanda said.
After the formation of dedicated courts, the conviction rate will increase, which will help in controlling wild animal crimes, he added.
On 29 November, Shri Nanda delivered 140 fire fighting units to different Forest Divisions to ensure better mobility, reduce response time & minimize hazards in case of forest fire with grants from SRC Odisha. “We are much better prepared for the coming fire season”, said Shri Nanda in his X platform.
The State government has appointed senior IFS officer Prem Kumar Jha as the new PCCF (Wildlife) in-charge.