Who Was Valmik Thapar? India's Renowned Conservationist And 'Tiger Man' Dies At 73 In Delhi

New Delhi: India’s renowned conservationist Valmik Thapar died on Saturday at the age of 73 in New Delhi. Thapar was popularly known as India's 'Tiger' Man'. He breathed his last at his Kautilya Marg residence in Delhi. Thapar was suffering from cancer.

Reacting to Thapar's demise, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh termed his death a great loss. "Today's Ranthambore, particularly, is a testimony to his deep commitment and indefatigable zeal. He was uncommonly knowledgeable on a variety of issues relating to biodiversity, and not a day passed during my Ministerial tenure without our talking to each other, with me almost always at the receiving end," Ramesh posted on X. Ramesh also said that during his tenure as chairman of the Standing Committee, Thapar was a constant source of valuable suggestions and advice.

Valmik Thapar, a legendary figure in the world of conservation over the past four decades - especially tigers - has just passed away. It is a great loss.

Today's Ranthambore, particularly, is a testimony to his deep commitment and indefatigable zeal. He was uncommonly… pic.twitter.com/6TP60wMleo

— Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) May 31, 2025

Congress Chief Mallikarjun Kharge also expressed grief over the demise of Thapar."Deeply saddened to learn about the passing of noted conservationist, author and naturalist, Valmik Thapar. A leading authority on Tiger conservation, he was as one of India's most respected wildlife experts and was appointed a member of the Tiger Task Force of 2005. My deepest condolences to his family, friends, wildlife enthusiasts and the conservation community," Kharge said.

Deeply saddened to learn about the passing of noted conservationist, author and naturalist, Valmik Thapar.

A leading authority on Tiger conservation, he was as one of India's most respected wildlife experts and was appointed a member of the Tiger Task Force of 2005.

My deepest… pic.twitter.com/xwRfezwCv1

— Mallikarjun Kharge (@kharge) May 31, 2025

Who Was Valmik Thapar?

Born in New Delhi in 1952, Thapar dedicated his life to the study and conservation of wild conservation, especially tigers in Rajasthan's Ranthambore National Park.

He co-founded the Ranthambhore Foundation in 1988, a non-governmental organisation focused on community-based conservation efforts. Thapar's father, Romesh Thapar, was a well-known journalist. His aunt is historian Romila Thapar, and renowned journalist Karan Thapar is his cousin.

He studied at The Doon School and later graduated with a gold medal in sociology from St Stephen's College, Delhi University. Thapar married theatre artist Sanjana Kapoor, daughter of actor Shashi Kapoor, and they have a son.

Fateh Singh Rathore, a legendary figure in Indian conservation and a key member of the original Project Tiger team, mentored Thapar. He strongly lobbied for tougher anti-poaching rules and efforts to protect tiger habitats during his five-decade-long career.

In 2005, Thapar was appointed a member of the Tiger Task Force, set up by the UPA government to review the management of tiger reserves following the disappearance of tigers from Sariska Tiger Reserve.

He was also an author. Thapar wrote or edited more than 30 books on wildlife, including Land of the Tiger: A Natural History of the Indian Subcontinent (1997), and Tiger Fire: 500 Years of the Tiger in India.

In 2024, he appeared in the documentary "My Tiger Family," which showcased his 50 years of observing wild tigers in Ranthambore National Park.