Dr. Sudarsan Panda, an IFS Officer of 1987 batch had served the state government in many important assignments including Director - Nandankanan, Chief Executive - Chilika Development Authority and Special Secretary, Forest & Environment Department. He also served as the PCCF & Project Director of OFSDP.

He was instrumental in formulating the Integrated Coastal Zone Management Project of Odisha which was funded by the World Bank. He has also served Govt. of India from 1995-99 as Regional Deputy Director (Wildlife) in Western Regional Office, Mumbai. He was specially trained for recovery of endangered species in UK and prevention & detection of wildlife crimes in USA. He has attended many international workshops and conferences in 12 countries including Canada, USA, UK, Australia, China & Japan. He was superannuated from government service in 2021. His areas of interest are Biodiversity Management, Wetland Management, Coastal Zone Management, etc. He has authored 11 books on various aspects of wildlife biology and biodiversity. He has published 72 research papers in national & international journals. Under his guidance, five students were awarded PhD degree from Utkal University & Berhampur University.

He was a member in the Odisha Biodiversity Board. He has been functioning as the Chairman of Odisha State Environment Impact Assessment Authority, under Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change, Govt. of India.