New Delhi: Valmik Thapar, a towering figure in Indian wildlife conservation and a passionate advocate for tigers, passed away on Saturday, at the age of 73. His death marks the end of an era in India’s environmental movement, where his voice and vision shaped five decades of tiger conservation.
Thapar was born into a renowned intellectual family. He was the son of noted journalist Romesh Thapar, nephew of acclaimed historian Romila Thapar, and cousin to journalist Karan Thapar.
A gold medalist in Sociology from St Stephen’s College, Delhi University, Thapar’s journey into conservation began in the mid-1970s, inspired by his mentor Fateh Singh Rathore. He became a constant presence in Ranthambore National Park, documenting tiger behaviour and spearheading habitat preservation. In 1988, he founded the Ranthambore Foundation, aiming to involve local communities in conservation efforts.
Over his career, Thapar authored more than 32 books, including “Living with Tigers”, “The Secret Life of Tigers”, and “Tiger Fire”, a sweeping chronicle of tigers in Indian history and culture. He also produced critically acclaimed wildlife documentaries for BBC, Discovery, and National Geographic.
Thapar was unafraid to criticise mismanagement in government-led conservation efforts, especially regarding Project Tiger. He served on over 150 national and state-level committees, including the 2005 Tiger Task Force, where he issued a dissenting note against policies he felt compromised tiger safety.
His work extended beyond Rajasthan to reserves like Tadoba-Andhari in Maharashtra, where he championed eco-tourism, community engagement, and scientific collaboration in conservation. More than a conservationist, Thapar was known for the deep emotional bond he formed with the tigers he studied.
In 2024, his documentary “My Tiger Family” offered an intimate glimpse into his 50-year relationship with India’s tigers.
Thapar is survived by his wife, theatre personality Sanjana Kapoor (daughter of actor Shashi Kapoor), and their son Hamir.