Valmik Thapar, one of India’s most influential voices in wildlife conservation and a lifelong advocate for tigers, passed away on Saturday morning at his home on Kautilya Marg, New Delhi. He was 73 and had been battling cancer.
Over the past five decades, Thapar dedicated his life to protecting India’s wildlife, especially its tigers. He authored more than 20 books on the subject and was the face of several acclaimed wildlife documentaries, including the BBC’s Land of the Tiger in 1997.
His journey into conservation began in 1976 after meeting Fateh Singh Rathore, the then-director of Ranthambhore Tiger Reserve. The two formed a lasting partnership that went on to shape India’s conservation policies for decades. Together, they co-founded TigerWatch, a non-profit based in Sawai Madhopur, which remains active in tiger protection efforts.
Thapar also held key positions in government advisory bodies such as the National Board for Wildlife. He was a member of the Tiger Task Force, formed after tigers vanished from Rajasthan’s Sariska reserve. Known for his outspoken views, he often criticized red tape in the system, once remarking that “bureaucracy killed more tigers than bullets ever did.”
In 1987, he established the Ranthambhore Foundation, focusing on community-based conservation. He also collaborated with the NGO Dastkar to help create sustainable livelihoods for displaced villagers.
Born in Mumbai in 1952 to noted journalists Romesh and Raj Thapar—co-founders of the political journal Seminar—Valmik carried forward a legacy of public engagement, though through the lens of wildlife and environment.
He is survived by his wife, Sanjana Kapoor, and their son, Hamir Thapar.
