Valmik Thapar, Who Spent 50 years with Tigers, Passes Away at 73

Valmik Thapar, a famous wildlife and tiger conservationist, passed away in Delhi on May 31, 2025, due to cancer. He was 73 years old. For over 40 years, he worked hard to protect tigers in India, especially in Ranthambore, Rajasthan. He wrote nearly 50 books and was known for his powerful photos and deep love for tigers.

Valmik Thapar’s Work for Tigers and Nature

Thapar spent much of his life in the forests, not just studying tigers but also working with local communities and forest officers. He was part of many government committees and helped start the Ranthambore Foundation, which worked in 100 villages around the Ranthambore Tiger Reserve.

He believed in saving forests and wildlife, but he also spoke out when he saw problems. He often raised concerns about Project Tiger, a government plan started in 1972 to save India’s tigers. He believed the project was not always done properly and needed better planning.

View on Tribals and Forest Rights

Thapar also disagreed with how some forest policies were handled. He had strong opinions on the Forest Rights Act, which gives forest land rights to tribal people. He believed that some tiger habitats needed to stay untouched by humans to protect the animals.

Love for the Jungle and the Tiger

Thapar loved spending time in the jungle, with his camera and binoculars. Whether in the burning summer or freezing winters, he was always ready to help find solutions for wildlife problems. His favorite place was always Ranthambore, where he watched tigers closed for decades.

A Strong Voice for Nature Tourism

He believed not all tourism is bad for nature. Thapar supported responsible tourism – travel that helps both the forest and the local people. He believed this was only possible when scientists, villagers, forest officers and leaders worked together.

Criticism of Cheetah Project

Thapar did not support the introduction of African cheetahs into India through Project Cheetah. He said India does not have the right forests or prey for cheetahs to live freely. He also believed cheetahs were never truly wild in India and  were mostly kept by royals in the past.

Early Life and Family of Valmik Thapar

Valmik Thapar came from a well-known family. His father, Romesh Thapar, was a famous journalist. His aunt is historian Romila Thapar, and his cousin is journalist Karan Thapar.

He studied at The Doon School and then at St. Stephen’s College, Delhi, where he won a gold medal in sociology. He was mentored by Fateh Singh Rathore, a legend in Indian wildlife conservation. He later married Sanjana Kapoor, daughter of actor Shashi Kapoor, and they had a son, Hamir.

Role in Tiger Task Force

In 2005, Thapar was chosen as a member of the Tiger Task Force to review how tiger reserves were managed. When the final report came out, he wrote a separate note, saying the plan didn’t do enough to protect tiger-only areas. He believed tigers needed large, human-free forests to survive.

Book, Documentaries and Global Impact

Valmik Thapar wrote or edited over 30 books. Some of his most famous works include Land of the Tiger and Tiger Fire. He also worked on wildlife documentaries for channels like the BBC. In 2024, he appeared in My Tiger Family, a film showing his 50 years of tiger tracking in Ranthambore.

Tributes from the World of Conservation

People across India and the world paid tribute to Thapar. Conservationist Neha Sinha called him the ”international voice of Indian tigers.” Wildlife expert Nirmal Ghosh said Thapar was ”a giant of tiger conservation” and left a global legacy.

Former Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh said he learned something new from Thapar every day and called him a passionate and unforgettable figure.