Renowned tiger conservationist Valmik Thapar passes away, conservation community pays tribute

Valmik Thapar 73 the renowned wildlife conservationist naturalist and prolific author who dedicated over five decades to tiger conservation in India passed away on Saturday morning in New DelhiThapar was one of the most influential voices for wildlife preservation in India He was closely associated with the Ranthambhore Tiger Reserve where his deep connection with tigers and the landscape became emblematic of his lifersquos work His passing has left the conservation community in mourning with tributes pouring in from across the countryDr Anish Andheria President amp CEO of the Wildlife Conservation Trust PicFacebookDr Anish Andheria President amp CEO of the Wildlife Conservation Trust described Thapar as ldquotruly synonymous with tigersrdquoAndheria said ldquoValmik Thapar was truly synonymous with tigers His remarkable persona reflected the very animal he so deeply respected While he could come across as stern it often gave way to a wonderful childlike enthusiasm revealing his profound affection for all things wild and beautifulHe was known for his unwavering honesty when it came to his views on the governance of Indias forests and forest service A compulsive writer and documenter of wildlife his contribution as an author of natural history writings is immense and has been pivotal in inspiring countless people to love wildlife Direct infectious forceful charismatic a true defender of wildlife ndash these words truly capture his essenceHis connection with Ranthambhore was as deep and abiding as that of Fateh Singh Rathore who served as both his mentor and friend In recent times he and his family were spending precious moments observing videographing and enjoying tiger behavior at Ranthambhore their cherished second homeI will deeply miss his forthright and honest conversations The fact that his baritone often filled with urgency will no longer be heard has brought home the profound realisation the tiger has lost one of its strongest supporters Knowing that Valmik is no longer with us Ranthambhore will never be quite the same for merdquoDharmendra Khandal biologist and tiger expert from NGO Tiger Watch PicFacebookDharmendra Khandal biologist and tiger expert from NGO Tiger Watch offered an emotional tributeFor more than twodecades I have had the privilege of observing and learning from Valmik Sir Since 2011 after Fateh Jirsquos Fateh Singh Rathore passing there hasnrsquot been a single week when we didnrsquot speak at least four times Our conversations always revolved around Ranthambhore and its tigersHe was constantly concerned about the conservation of Ranthambhore especially its tigers Whenever he visited hersquod go on both the morning and afternoon safaris and I would sometimes accompany him on those afternoon safaris which were truly remarkable especially considering that he was 70 years old His energy and passion remained unmatched Between safaris Valmik Sir never took a break He would often call me over to his home in Ranthambhore not to rest but to engage in deep discussions about Ranthambhore its tigers and everything related to wildlife conservation in India His passion never waned and even in those moments his eye was always on the future of Ranthambhore and seeking solutionsWith Valmik Sir it was not just a safari It was like attending a masterclass in the wild as he would share his experiences 50 years of learning insights about animal behavior and fascinating anecdotesmdashwhich is not surprising after all he has worked on more than 150 committees been a member of the National Wildlife Board for over 20 years and headed numerous state wildlife boardsValmik Sirrsquos deep affection for the people of Ranthambhore was equally evident Whether it was an officer or a junior staff member or villager he always remembered and appreciated them especially those that served during the early days of the reserve He would often speak about their stories stressing the importance of bringing these stories to the world before they disappeared Whenever he came to Ranthambhore he made it a point to gather a diverse array of local individuals under a single roof talk about their contributions and inspire them to act in the service of Ranthambhore and its tigersValmik Sirrsquos support played a pivotal role in my own journey He involved me in the Rajasthan State Wildlife Board where he made significant contributions to the welfare of the statersquos wildlife and its wildernessValmik Sir was generous with his praise for others He admired two things first the uniqueness of a tiger photograph regardless of whoever clicked it and second the excitement when someone shared new facts or observations of tiger behaviour He was quick to praise and uplift encouraging everyone around himNeedless to say Valmik Sir was deeply dedicated to wildlife conservation His commitment was evident even in tasks that were not his direct responsibility and he did it without complaint I recall a time when we visited the Kailadevi forest at the end of April It was scorching hot yet Valmik Sir despite his age never hesitated to head into the jungle embarking on a full day drive In recent years too during the extreme heat of May and June he would still go on safaris sometimes draping a wet towel over his head for relief His passion for wildlife and tiger never waveredItrsquos not that he wasnrsquot aware of the complications that came with age Valmik Sir was always practical and knew when to step back By midMay he had wrapped up his work sensing that it was time Even a few days before his passing he sent voice notes that were as bold and fearless as alwaysRight until May 12th 2025 he was discussing his upcoming book a monumental twovolume work celebrating 50 years of Ranthambhore The book entirely his own work when published will be his final contribution to an extensive and comprehensive body of workIn my lifetime I have not encountered anyone more inspiring or motivating than Valmik Sir Along with Fateh ji these two individuals stand out as the most inspiring people I have ever met he saidSunil Limaye former Principal Chief Conservator of Forests Maharashtra and member of the Supreme Courtappointed Central Empowered Committee CECSunil Limaye former Principal Chief Conservator of Forests Maharashtra and member of the Supreme Courtappointed Central Empowered Committee CEC reflected on his long association with Thapar since 2007Limaye said I had the privilege of associating with the legendary Valmik Thapar since 2007ndash2008 Our first meeting occurred in 2011 during a visit to Rajasthan for the State Wildlife Board meeting From that moment our discussions spanned various topics related to wildlife conservation particularly focusing on tigers and leopardsHe said In 2015 I had the opportunity to meet him again He expressed his appreciation for the efforts of the Maharashtra Forest Department and Sanjay Gandhi National Park in involving local stakeholders and fostering awareness about humanleopard coexistence in urban landscapesLimaye added A few years ago Valmik reached out to me regarding the controversial decision to capture the famous tiger T24 also known as Ustaad from Ranthambore due to humantiger conflict incidents After a long discussion we concurred that in the larger interest of both tiger and human safety the decision to relocate the tiger was the most prudent course of actionValmik was a vocal advocate for tiger conservation and his pioneering work significantly contributed to revitalizing tiger reserves across the country His authored books and wildlife documentaries will continue to perpetuate his legacy he addedI extend my heartfelt condolences to his family and friends during this time of loss he saidPrerna Bindra wildlife conservationist and author of The Vanishing Indiarsquos Wildlife Crisis PicLinkedInPrerna Bindra wildlife conservationist and author of The Vanishing Indiarsquos Wildlife Crisis called Thapar ldquoa powerful voice for tiger conservation globallyBindra said Valmik Thapar was a powerful voice for tiger conservation globally and is synonymous with his beloved Ranthambhore Tiger Reserve He has inspired generations of young people to take up the cause while also closely working with governments at policy level His most significant contribution was with the Supreme Courts Central empowered Committee where during his tenure along with other members made important policy decisions to protect wildlife and its habitat His loss is deeply feltHe was such a passionate powerful orator and inspired many to care for the tiger and its forestKedar Gore Director of The Corbett Foundation PicFacebookKedar Gore Director of The Corbett Foundation said Valmik Thapar one of the most powerful voices that roared for the tiger is silenced forever His books articles photographs and speeches echoed his deep understanding of the natural world which he very fiercely defended till his last He was a great inspiration for two generations of wildlife conservationists who would now carry on this battle for the longterm existence of our national animal He was among the few in India who could fearlessly call spade a spade without mincing words His passing on is the end of an era and a great loss for tigers and forests Valmik Thapar will live forever in our hearts and in the forest of RanthambhorDebi Goenka Executive Trustee of the Conservation Action TrustDebi Goenka Executive Trustee of the Conservation Action Trust paid tribute to Thaparrsquos early and enduring dedication to tiger conservationHe said Valmik was one of the original ldquotiger wallahsrdquo who dedicated his life for tigers and for Ranthambore He was also a great photographer and the many books that he wrote based on his personal experiences in the field are studded with his incredible photographs He was able to get together many environmental and wildlife groups and his ldquoTiger Watchrdquo initiative helped to keep us connected for many years He was a gracious host and the time I spent with him in the field in Ranthambore and even in SGNP in Mumbai bring back fond memories I recall a conference in Kolkata when Valu was in a heated discussion with some of the other ldquotiger wallahsrdquo about the actual number of tigers in India at that time tiger census was carried out using the pug mark method Various highly inflated figures were being bandied I put a quietus to the discussion by reminding them that all tigers had four paws and that all the census estimates had to be divided by fourWe have lost a great warrior We will miss him