BHOPAL: Renowned forester and architect of Madhya Pradesh’s forest landscape, Jagat Jyoti Dutta, passed away on Saturday. He was 98.
A 1950 batch IFS officer, Dutta was instrumental in establishing the state’s protected area network. As the first Wildlife Warden of Madhya Pradesh, he laid the foundation for the state’s rich wildlife heritage. His visionary leadership and unwavering commitment to conservation have left an enduring legacy.
Dutta, a gold medallist in Zoology from Nagpur Science College and an alumnus of FRI Dehradun, retired as PCCF in 1984. Known for his exceptional knowledge and passion, he was a mentor to countless forest officers.
Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav expressed deep sorrow over Dutta’s demise, calling him a stalwart of Indian forestry. The government of Madhya Pradesh had conferred him the Lifetime Achievement Award for his extraordinary contribution to the conservation of wildlife in the state and the country.
For his vision and perseverance in building a strong wildlife wing with a dedicated and trained workforce and creating a network of rich and diverse protected areas in various biogeographical zones of the state, and for his scientific temper that led to the establishment of the State Forest Research Institute at Jabalpur, Dutta’s contributions are unparalleled.
His strategy, which called for a change of role for the wildlife manager from a conservation introvert to a friend of the people, was circulated by the Government of India for adoption by other states. He became a radiant centre of expertise while serving on the Faculty Selection Committee of the Wildlife Institute of India for over a decade, first as a member and finally as its chairman. Even after his retirement, he continued to be a source of guidance and inspiration to the younger generation of foresters.
“Owing to his untiring efforts to secure and nurture wildlife, Madhya Pradesh virtually became the ‘Tiger State’ of India by claiming 450 out of a total census of about 1800 in the first countrywide tiger estimation,” wrote Ghanshaym Saxena and Suhas Kumar, retired IFS officers.
“His ability to train and influence the young foresters and field personnel resulted in a cadre of an extremely adept and dedicated workforce that led Madhya Pradesh to become a leader in wildlife management in the entire country. Some of the reserves developed under his guidance in MP had brought international recognition to the state and the country. His protégé Padam Bhushan H S Pawar headed the Project Tiger in the early 1980s and later as the director of Wildlife Institute of India, a prestigious institution of the Government of India. Shri J.J Dutta fully deserves the highest Civilian recognition offered by the Government of India,” they added.
Retired IFS R Sreenivasa Murty said he was lucky to have lived with a forestry legend and to have interacted with J J Dutta. “I admire the old-time forest officers for without the modern tools they were able to steer through laying strong foundations of forestry and wildlife management in the State with a zeal and dedication. Dutta Sir was a pioneer on this count. He established 9 National Parks and 22 Wildlife Sanctuaries as the first Chief Wildlife Warden of the State. My salutes to J.J. Dutta Sir,” he told TOI.
Cremation will take place at Bhadbhada on Sunday morning.