Sonali Ghosh serves as an Indian Forest Service officer and has achieved the distinction of being the first woman to hold the position of Field Director at the Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve.
PERSONAL INFORMATION
Born in Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India, Sonali Ghosh hails from a family with a strong military background, which led to frequent travels and an early passion for nature. Her father, Col. AK Ghosh, served as an officer in the Corps of Engineers, while her mother, Seema Ghosh, dedicated herself to homemaking. Additionally, Sonali has an elder brother. She is married to Chandra Bhushan, an IAS Officer, and they are blessed with a daughter named Lavanya. Sonali comes from a Hindu family, although her zodiac sign and hobbies remain undisclosed.
PHYSICAL APPEARANCE
Height :- Not Known
Weight :- Not Knwon
Body Measurement :- Not Known
Hair Colour :- Black
Eye Colour :- Black
EDUCATION
Initially pursuing a career in medicine, Sonali Ghosh faced setbacks in her medical exams. This prompted her to pivot towards civil service exams, ultimately leading to her becoming an Indian Forest Service (IFS) officer. Her educational journey is marked by several notable achievements, including a post-graduation in Forestry and Wildlife Science, a degree in System Management, an MSc in Wildlife Conservation, and a post-graduate diploma in Environmental Law from the prestigious National Law School of India. Additionally, she completed a PhD in Geography in the United Kingdom. Notably, Sonali Ghosh achieved the highest rank in the IFS 2000-2003 batch, solidifying her reputation as a high achiever in her field.
CAREER
In the year 2000, Sonali Ghosh embarked on her career with the Indian Forest Service (IFS). Her initial assignment brought her to the renowned Kaziranga National Park & Tiger Reserve in Assam, celebrated for its one-horned rhinoceros population. Subsequently, she was stationed at the Chakrashila Wildlife Sanctuary, where her efforts focused on the conservation of the golden Langurs.
Sonali’s dedication and expertise earned her the role of Chief Conservator of Forests in the Research, Education, and Working Plan division, based at the office of the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Head of the Forest Force in Guwahati. She played a crucial role in the formal revival process for Manas National Park.
During her fieldwork, she achieved a remarkable milestone by successfully contributing to the rehabilitation of captive-bred clouded leopard cubs into their natural habitat, marking a significant achievement in wildlife conservation.
After dedicating 15 years to fieldwork, Sonali Ghosh returned to the Wildlife Institute of India as a scientist, with a particular focus on Ex-situ conservation. Notably, she co-edited two books titled “Cultural Landscapes of Asia” and “An Anthology on Wild Treasures: Reflections on Natural Heritage in Asia.”
Her remarkable journey reached a significant milestone on September 1, 2023, when she made history by becoming the first woman to hold the position of Field Director at the Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve.
AWARD
Sonali Ghosh received accolades for her outstanding contributions to wildlife conservation. She was honored with the Whitley Award in recognition of her tireless efforts in tiger conservation. In 2013, she earned the prestigious Marsh Marjan Award for her dedicated work on the Manas project.
Furthermore, Sonali achieved a remarkable milestone by earning a doctorate in remote-sensing technology, focusing on habitat suitability for tigers within the Indo-Bhutan Manas Landscape, further solidifying her expertise in this critical field.
