New Delhi: Union Environment Minister Anil Madhav Dave died on Thursday. He was 61.

I was with Anil Madhav Dave ji till late last evening, discussing key policy issues. This demise is a personal loss

Dave has been a member of the Rajya Sabha since 2009. He was sworn in as a Minister of State with independent charge of environment, forest and climate change in 2016.

He was born in Badnagar in Madhya Pradesh.

Dave had not been keeping well for the last few months.

Dave passed away at his official residence here. The exact time is not yet known. The incident came to light at around 7.30 a.m., when his staff tried to wake him up.

The minister was in meetings with Prime Minister Narendra Modi as late as last evening, the latter tweeted, calling him “a devoted public servant”. Several Central and state politicians also expressed their condolences.

“I was with Anil Madhav Dave ji till late last evening, discussing key policy issues. This demise is a personal loss,” the PM said. “Anil Madhav Dave ji will be remembered as a devoted public servant. He was tremendously passionate towards conserving the environment,” the PM added.

Congress President Sonia Gandhi on Thursday condoled the death of Environment Minister Anil Madhav Dave saying that he will be remembered for his humble personality.

“Shocked by his sudden demise,” Sonia Gandhi said in a statement.

The Congress leader then said that Dave was a “soft spoken and gentle human being”.

“He will be fondly remembered for his humble personality,” she added.

She also conveyed her condolences to members of Dave’s family, admirers and supporters.