Valmik Thapar, a prominent conservationist dedicated to the protection of tigers in India, passed away on May 31 at his home in New Delhi. He was 72 or 73 years old, with his family confirming that cancer was the cause of death. Thapar was born in 1952, although the exact date is not specified.
Thapar began his journey in tiger conservation in 1976 at a reserve and became known for his passionate activism against poaching and habitat loss. His belief in the necessity of “inviolate protected areas” for tigers was a cornerstone of his advocacy. Ravi Singh, chief executive of the World Wildlife Fund-India, remarked that Thapar was an institution unto himself due to his extensive knowledge and communication skills.
Throughout his career, Thapar utilized his strong political and media connections to raise awareness about the declining tiger population in India, which fell from approximately 40,000 in the 1950s to 1,411 in 2006. However, conservation efforts have since led to a recovery, with the population rising to 3,682 by 2022.
Thapar's first encounter with a wild tiger occurred at the age of 10 in Corbett National Park. This experience ignited a lifelong passion for tigers, leading him to write numerous books and establish deep ties with the Ranthambhore Tiger Reserve, where he was mentored by tiger expert Fateh Singh Rathore.
His memoir, “Living with Tigers,” published in 2016, reflects his journey and experiences in the field. Thapar’s observational skills and writing style drew comparisons to renowned neurologist Oliver Sacks. His 1989 book, “Tigers: The Secret Life,” highlighted the urgent need for conservation as human encroachment threatened tiger habitats.
In addition to his writing, Thapar founded the Ranthambhore Foundation in 1988, which integrated conservation efforts with community development initiatives. He served on numerous committees advising on wildlife conservation, including a notable dissent to the Tiger Task Force’s report in 2005, advocating for the prioritization of tigers in protected reserves.
Thapar was critical of the Indian Forest Rights Act of 2006, arguing that it would exacerbate habitat intrusions. His contributions to wildlife conservation included several books and documentaries, such as “My Tiger Family,” which focused on matriarchal tiger families in Ranthambhore.
Thapar is survived by his wife, Sanjana Kapoor, and his son, Hamir. In a recent speech, he expressed doubts about the long-term survival of tigers but acknowledged the crucial role of photographers and filmmakers in raising awareness. In his later years, he returned to his roots, focusing on observing and studying tigers in their natural habitats.