Daijiworld Media Network – Madhya Pradesh (MS)

Madhya Pradesh, Mar 1: Dr M K Ranjitsinh Jhala relinquished his royal family status to serve society, etching his name in Indian IAS officer history as the first royal family member to join the ranks.

Now 84 years old, Dr Jhala embarked on his IAS journey in 1961, serving the Madhya Pradesh cadre. Renowned for his fervor for wildlife protection, he earned the moniker "Cheetah Man" as the mastermind behind the 1972 Wildlife Protection Act, dedicating nearly five decades to bolstering India's wildlife.

Hailing from the Wankaner royal dynasty of Saurashtra, Dr Jhala's childhood passion for wildlife spurred him to abandon a lavish lifestyle, dedicating himself to societal service and wildlife conservation.

Tasked with safeguarding the endangered Barasingha Deer of Central India in the 1960s, Dr Jhala spearheaded the drafting of the Wildlife (Protection) Act of 1972 while serving as the deputy secretary for forests and wildlife with the Government of India. He championed the allocation of central government funds for wildlife protection and advocated for the establishment of numerous national parks and wildlife sanctuaries.

Initiating the Save Tiger Project, Dr Jhala served as the nature conservation advisor at the regional office of UNEP in Bangkok from 1975 to 1980. Upon his return to India, he oversaw eight national parks and 11 wildlife sanctuaries.

The brainchild behind the African Cheetah Introduction Project in India established in 2009, Dr Jhala was selected to lead the project when the Supreme Court granted approval in 2020. Additionally, he has authored numerous books on wildlife.

In recognition of his exemplary contributions to wildlife protection and nurturing in India, Dr Ranjitsinh Jhala was bestowed with the Lifetime Achievement Award in 2014.