Dr. Sonali Ghosh Becomes First Woman to Lead Kaziranga National Park in 118 Years
A significant new chapter in India’s conservation history was inaugurated on September 1, 2023, as IFS Sonali Ghosh took charge as the Field Director of the iconic Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve. In doing so, she became the first woman to lead the park in its 118-year history.
Kaziranga, a UNESCO World Heritage Site famed globally as the stronghold of the endangered Great One-Horned Rhino, had never before seen a woman at its helm. Dr. Ghosh’s appointment is being hailed as a defining moment, breaking a major glass ceiling in a field long dominated by men.
Dr. Ghosh, a senior Indian Forest Service (IFS) officer from the 2000 batch, assumed the responsibility from the retiring Field Director, Jatindra Sarma. She brings a wealth of experience and an advanced academic background, including a doctorate in remote-sensing technology, to the challenge of managing one of the world’s most critical biodiversity hotspots.
Her new role encompasses crucial duties like:
- Protecting the estimated 3,000 rhinos from poaching.
- Implementing scientific wildlife monitoring techniques.
- Managing the park’s diverse ecosystem, which also hosts significant populations of tigers, elephants, and wild water buffalo.
- Engaging with local communities to promote sustainable conservation models.
“Her appointment is a proud moment for Indian conservation,” stated a forest department official. “It sends a powerful message about the opportunities for women in the highest echelons of forest and wildlife protection.”
Dr. Ghosh’s leadership is expected to bring a fresh, inclusive perspective to the park’s management, reaffirming India’s commitment to empowering women in the crucial work of environmental stewardship.
