Valmik Thapar, legendary wildlife conservationist and tiger expert, passed away at age 73 in New Delhi on May 31, 2025. With a career spanning five decades, he was a powerful voice for India’s natural heritage, especially the protection of tigers. 

Known as the ‘Tiger Man of India’, Thapar dedicated over four decades of his life to wildlife preservation, particularly focusing on India’s national animal the tiger. His deep association with the Ranthambhore Tiger Reserve and his relentless advocacy for protecting tiger habitats made him a towering figure in India’s environmental movement.

Key Points:

• Valmik Thapar, born in 1952, was a prominent environmentalist and author known for dedicating over 50 years to tiger conservation in India.
• His passion began in the 1970s at Ranthambhore National Park, where he developed a lifelong commitment to big cat protection.
• Thapar authored more than 30 books and worked on various wildlife documentaries, including the BBC’s "Land of the Tiger."
• He was a close collaborator of renowned conservationist Fateh Singh Rathore and strongly supported the Project Tiger initiative.
• Thapar also founded the Ranthambhore Foundation and served on multiple wildlife advisory committees, influencing national policy on habitat preservation.