Sources said Rajasekar is a 1998-batch officer who joined as secretary of AWBI today afternoon at Chennai for a period of three years. He is the first IFS officer as Secretary of the Board and has a wide experience of research and development about animal care, conservation, protection and preservation, including outstanding management of flora and fauna.

Rajasekar completed his graduation and post-graduation in the field of forestry from Forest College and Research Institute, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore. He started his career as a scientist (forestry) with ICAR in 1997 and was selected in the Indian Forest Service in 1998. He was a topper in core forestry subjects and was also conferred the KM Tiwari Gold Medal.

As a young IFS officer (Punjab cadre), he served in various capacities in Punjab in Hoshiarpur, Dasuya, Chandigarh and Pathankot as district forest officer (DFO). He has to his credit 16 basic research papers, five scientific and technical papers and popular articles in national and international journals. He has also written four books and participated in more than half dozen workshops and seminars and undergone more than two dozen training programmes on various issues of forest, environment, wildlife and biodiversity.

“I have been invited to present my paper for the World Lake International Conference, Jaipur, to be held from October 28 to November 2,’’ he told ENS.