Significant Indian nature conservation and author Valmik Thapon died on Saturday morning at the age of 73. He fought cancer. His cremation will be held today at 15:30 in the electric crematorium of the Lodhi in Delhi. Thapon was best known for its lifelong determination to preserve wild tigers, especially in Rajasthan National Park. During a five decade’s career, he became one of the most respected Indian voices to protect the tiger.
Thapon was born in a family of prominent intellectuals and was the son of a well -known journalist Romemé Thar and the nephew of the renowned historian Romila Thap. He studied a gold medal in sociology at St Stephen’s College at Delhi University. Later he married with theater artist Sanjan Kapoor, daughter of legendary actor Shashi Kapoor.
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Thapon was mentorized by Fateh Singh Rathhore, a pioneering figure of Indian protection of wild animals and a key member of the original Tiger project.
Heritage of defense and knowledge
During his career, Thapon sought stronger laws against poaching and tiger habitat. He worked on more than 150 government panels and working groups, including the National Council for Wild Game, chaired by the Prime Minister. In 2005 he was appointed to the Tiger working group, created by the UPA government after the tigers disappeared from the Sariska Tiger reserve.
He firmly believed that the long -term survival of tigers depended on “preservation of areas without human activity”. He often emphasized the need to manage the basic area “exclusively for tigers”.
Thapar created or edited more than 30 books on Indian wilderness, such as the land of the tiger: the natural history of the Indian subcontinent (1997) and the tiger fire: 500 years of the tiger in India. He also co -produced and introduced several Wildlife documentary films, including the recognized BBC Land of Tiger (1997) series, which explored the rich biological diversity of the Indian subcontinent.
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In 2024, Thapon performed in My Tiger Family, where he was thinking about five decades of observation of wild tigers in Ranthambore.
He was also known for his critical attitude to Cheeparh and said that “India lacks habitats, prey and expertise” necessary to maintain African cheetahs in the wild.
Congress
Congress President MALLIKARJUN KHARGE grieved the demise of Thapon and called him as a leading authority for tigers. “Deeply sad to learn about the transition of the well -known conversational, author and naturalist of the Valmic Thapon.
“The head of the Tiger Protection Authority was one of the most respected Indian wildlife experts and was appointed a member of the Tigers Working Group in 2005. My deepest condolences to his family, friends, wilderness enthusiasts and nature conservation community,” Kharge said in position X.
Congress Secretary General and former Minister of the Environment Jairam Ramesh described the legendary character in the world of protection for more than four decades of work on tigers. “It’s a big loss,” he said.
Ramesh said that today’s Ranthambore is particularly a testimony to his deep determination and unwavering zeal.
“He was unusually informed about various issues concerning the biodiversity and not the day when he had gone through during my ministerial term without talking together – almost always at the receiving end.
“During my work by the chairman of the Permanent Committee, he was also a constant source of many valuable designs and advice. We had arguments, but it has always been education to listen to him, full of passions and worries,” Ramesh said.
“It was really unforgettable of its kind,” he added.
(With PTI inputs)
(Tagstotranslate) Valmik Thapon died
