2000 batch Indian Forest Service (IFS) officer and Chief Conservator of Forest (Wildlife) Bilaspur and Field Director of Achanakmar Tiger Reserve (ATR) Anil Soni died due to Covid-19 complications at private hospital Care N Cure Super Speciallity Hospital in Bilaspur city of the state on Thursday. Soni breathed his last at around 1 pm. He was 58. He is survived by wife, son and daughter. His last rites were performed by following corona protocols at Muktidham, Devendra Nagar on Thursday. Talking to ‘The Hitavada’, Bilaspur Divisional Officer (DFO) Kumar Nishant confirmed that IFS officer Anil Soni passed away at the private hospital in Bilaspur.

 

IFS Association Chhattisgarh has expressed grief over the sudden demise of IFS officer Anil Soni. Principal Chief Conservator of Forest (PCCF) Rakesh Chaturvedi has expressed sorrow over the demise of IFS officer Soni. Rakesh Chaturvedi prayed for his soul to rest in peace. PCCF Chaturvedi said that the sudden demise of Anil Soni is an irreparable loss for the Forest Department. PCCF Chaturvedi has conveyed his condolences to the bereaved family. IFS Association Chhattisgarh President Sudhir Agrawal, PCCF (Wildlife) P Narsingh Rao and all other IFS officers have condoled the death of Anil Soni. Anil Soni had served on various posts including Director of Nandanvan Jungle Safari, CCF (Territorial) Bilaspur, DFO Jagdalpur and DFO Raipur in the Forest Department. Anil Soni was known as a devoted forest officer.

 

Anil Soni had played a pivotal role in development of the Jungle Safari. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had inaugurated the Nandanvan Jungle Safari on November 1, 2016 when Anil Soni was the Director of the Jungle Safari Nava Raipur. IFS officer Soni had taken various measures to curb illegal felling of trees and poaching of wild animals in forests.