Widely celebrated and respected forester, Mr S K Patnaik retired from Indian Forest Service in November 2001 as Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Chief Wildlife Warden, Odisha after 36 glorious years. Has more than 20 years long experience of managing terrestrial and aquatic wildlife in the state of Odisha (India) including 14 years long association with Nandankanan Zoological Park, Bhubaneshwar. In the last one and half decade, he is associated with large numbers of initiatives/Committees/Boards, which include membership of Central Empowered Committee of Supreme Court of India; Governing Body of the Wildlife Institute of India; Steering Committee of Project Elephant; Central Zoo Authority, its Governing Body, Technical Committee and Expert Groups (on Zoo Designing and Research). He is member of the State Boards for Wildlife in the state of Odisha and Chhattisgarh.
Has co-edited Compendium of publications from Indian zoos (three volumes) and Indian Zoo Year Book (first three volumes) and written large number of scientific and popular papers/articles besides a book on environment in Odia and recently a memoire titled ‘Trumpets and Roars’. He is the lead author of the book “Designing of Enclosures for Indian Zoos’ published by the Central Zoo Authority. He is a member of the SSC/IUCN - Cats Specialist Group and Conservation Planning Specialist Group. He was the founder President of the Indian Zoo Directors’ Association. Has widely been awarded and honoured by different organisations and governments for his contributions to the cause of conservation of nature and natural resources. He has widely travelled and has visited many zoos in India and abroad.