Obituary: Valmik Thapar, India’s tiger man and conservationist extraordinaire

Congress chief and former setting minister Jairam Ramesh paid tribute to Valmik Thapar, stating: “Valmik Thapar, a legendary determine on this planet of conservation over the previous 4 many years — particularly tigers — has simply handed away. It’s a nice loss.

“As we speak’s Ranthambore, significantly, is a sworn statement to his deep dedication and indefatigable zeal. He was uncommonly educated on a wide range of points referring to biodiversity and never a day handed throughout my Ministerial tenure with out our speaking to one another – with me virtually all the time on the receiving finish,” Ramesh wrote on X.

Thapar’s passing has been deeply felt throughout the conservation and political communities. His relentless efforts to safeguard India’s wildlife, significantly tigers, spanned greater than 40 years. As somebody who collaborated with authorities our bodies and influenced coverage on the highest ranges, Thapar’s contributions weren’t simply scientific or literary — they have been institutional and lasting.

Thapar’s deep experience and dedication prolonged far past his main base in Rajasthan. Whereas he was most intently related to Ranthambhore, the place he spent many years observing and documenting wild tigers, his steerage and advocacy considerably benefited protected areas throughout India. His position in shaping the restoration and administration methods of locations like Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve stands as a testomony to his nationwide affect.

Koustubh Sharma, conservation science director on the Snow Leopard Belief, shared a deeply private tribute to Valmik Thapar, recalling a transformative second that formed his personal journey in conservation.