Valmik Thapar, one of India’s most passionate and well-known wildlife conservationists, passed away at the age of 73. Over the course of his remarkable life, he became a key figure in tiger conservation, lending his voice, knowledge, and energy to protecting the country’s most iconic predator.

From a legacy of thinkers

Thapar came from a family rooted in intellect and culture. His father, Romesh Thapar, was a prominent journalist, and his aunt, Romila Thapar, is a respected historian.

He studied at The Doon School and went on to earn a sociology degree—graduating with a gold medal—from St Stephen’s College at Delhi University.

He later married theatre personality Sanjana Kapoor, daughter of the legendary actor Shashi Kapoor, and together they had a son. Though steeped in a world of arts and letters, Valmik Thapar chose a path of nature and conservation.

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Valmik Thapar | File Photo

The call of the wild: Ranthambore and tigers

It was the forests of Rajasthan, especially Ranthambore, that captured Thapar’s heart. Under the mentorship of Fateh Singh Rathore—a legendary conservationist himself—Thapar began his journey into wildlife protection.

In 1988, he co-founded the Ranthambhore Foundation, which focused on combining conservation with local community support.

Thapar strongly believed that tigers could only survive if they were given undisturbed spaces. He campaigned tirelessly for preserving forest areas where wildlife could thrive without human interference.

Voice for the tigers

For nearly 50 years, Valmik Thapar was a relentless advocate for tiger conservation in India. He served on more than 150 government panels and committees, including the National Board for Wildlife and the Tiger Task Force.

His focus remained consistent: create and maintain strong, protected zones for tigers, and crack down hard on poaching.

One of his lasting beliefs was that tigers needed untouched forests to survive—not just in pockets, but in large, connected landscapes.

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Valmik Thapar | File Photo

Author, filmmaker, educator

Thapar wasn't just a conservationist—he was also a storyteller. He wrote or edited over 30 books on wildlife, sharing his deep love and understanding of nature with a wide audience. Among his best-known works are ‘Land of the Tiger and Tiger Fire’, which explore India’s natural heritage and the long-standing relationship between humans and tigers.

He also brought wildlife to screens around the world. His BBC documentary series ‘Land of the Tiger’ (1997) was a visually stunning tribute to the region’s biodiversity. As recently as 2024, he appeared in the film My Tiger Family, looking back on 50 years of observing big cats in the wild.

A fierce critic of project cheetah

While Thapar was always a champion of wildlife, he didn’t hesitate to question official efforts when he felt they missed the mark. He was openly critical of Project Cheetah, warning that India did not yet have the right conditions to reintroduce African cheetahs into the wild.