I am deeply saddened to learn that my friend and colleague of 32 years, Valmik Thapar has passed away. I met Valmik in 1993 in Delhi and realised instantly that we were bonded together forever by our passion for the tiger. His passion arose purely from the heart, inspired by the charisma of the cat.
My passion was rooted in the mysteries of its ecology, and concern for the fate of tiger populations rather than of individual tigers. As we worked together over the next three decades, I was amazed by Valmik’s single-minded focus, incredible drive and the shrewd understanding of how political systems worked.
Among my generation of conservationists of post-colonial India, Valmik stood tall as the most effective and genuine leader. He made his impact initially in Ranthambore, but around the time we met, he was spreading his wings across India to work with several of us on pragmatic wildlife conservationists-not of the ‘woke’ academic kind that currently predominates.
Valmik made us all effective on the ground: regardless of who ran the political show in Delhi, Valmik could get things done. A dozen of us, officials and non-officials, sometimes provided ideas and supported him in whatever way we could.
The public at large does not know that many amendments to wildlife laws, setting up of the wildlife crime bureau, formation of the Central Empowered Committee of the Supreme Court, establishment of the Global Tiger Forum and appointment of the Tiger Task Force and other such initiatives owe much to Valmik. Except perhaps the GTF and TTF, all of these led to some positive outcomes.
Valmik’s prodigious advocacy for the Tiger through many of his television documentaries, numerous books and passionate pleadings with those in power stand unmatched. What impressed me most about Valmik was, he did not flinch from speaking out on what he felt was right. He also intelligently changed his position on issues, when rational evidence was presented, a rare trait in most individuals driven by pure passion.
Conservationists in Karnataka, who enjoyed Valmik’s support on key issues that we tackled, such as the closure of the Kudremukh mine, conservation resettlement from wildlife reserves, improving tiger science and supporting law enforcement on ground when the forest department was resource-starved, will remember him fondly.
The Tiger’s Roar has gone silent, but we will all continue to hear its echoes.