Valmik Thapar, a fiercely dedicated conservationist known for his impactful work on tiger preservation in India, has passed away at the age of 73. He died on May 31 in New Delhi, with cancer cited as the cause by his family, although his exact birth date in 1952 remains unspecified.
Thapar's life was intertwined with tigers; he began his study of them in 1976 at a reserve and became a vocal advocate for their protection against poaching and the encroachment of human development. Thapar, characterized by his robust presence and articulate demeanor, demanded that tigers be allowed to thrive in "inviolate protected areas," free from human interference.
Ravi Singh, the CEO of the World Wildlife Fund-India, lauded Thapar as a self-made institution whose knowledge and communication skills were unparalleled. Ullas Karanth, a former director at the Wildlife Conservation Society, noted Thapar’s ability to leverage political connections to shine a spotlight on the "tiger crisis."
The tiger population in India saw a drastic decline from approximately 40,000 in the 1950s to just 1,411 by 2006, but conservation efforts, partly fueled by advocates like Thapar, have led to a rebound. As of 2022, India's tiger count reached 3,682, with the Ranthambhore Tiger Reserve showing a marked increase from about 15 to 70 tigers since 2006. Thapar’s unwavering passion and efforts will be remembered as a critical force in the fight for tiger conservation in India.
