Valmik Thapar, the renowned conservationist known for his relentless efforts to protect India's tigers, passed away on May 31 at his residence in New Delhi, at the age of 72 or 73, due to cancer, as reported by his family. Born in 1952, Thapar dedicated his life to studying tigers, beginning in 1976 at a reserve where he developed a passion for the majestic big cats.
A larger-than-life figure, Thapar was celebrated for his articulate and passionate advocacy for creating “inviolate protected areas” for tigers, free from human interference. “He was not an institutional person, but he was an institution unto himself,” said Ravi Singh, chief executive of the World Wildlife Fund-India, highlighting Thapar's significant role in tiger conservation.
Thapar utilized his extensive political and media connections to bring attention to the severe decline of the tiger population, which dropped from approximately 40,000 in the 1950s to just 1,411 by 2006. His efforts were pivotal in reversing this trend, with the tiger population in India reaching 3,682 in 2022. Particularly in the Ranthambhore Tiger Reserve, where Thapar first nurtured his love for tigers, numbers surged from about 15 in 2006 to around 70 in 2022, illustrating the impactful outcomes of his tireless work.
Thapar’s life and contributions serve as a reminder of the importance of unwavering determination in the fight for wildlife conservation in a rapidly changing world. His legacy will inspire future conservationists and eco-activists as the struggle to protect these magnificent creatures continues.
