New Delhi: Union Environment Minister Anil Madhav Dave (60) passed away after a battle with lung cancer today.

Dave, a member of the Rajya Sabha since 2009, was sworn-in as a Minister with independent charge of Environment, Forest and Climate  Change last year.

Born in Barnagar in Madhya Pradesh, Dave was a bachelor. He had a long-time association with the RSS.

“Anil Madhav Daveji will be remembered as a devoted public servant. He was tremendously passionate towards conserving environment,”   PM Modi tweeted.