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Ranthambore's Roar: A Tiger's Remarkable Comeback Story
23 Jan
Summary
- Conservationist Valmik Thapar dedicated his life to saving tigers.
- Ranthambore tiger numbers rose from under a dozen to about 70.
- A new photobook celebrates 50 years of Ranthambore's transformation.
The life of conservationist Valmik Thapar was irrevocably changed in 1976 by his mentor, Fateh Singh Rathore, at Rajasthan's Ranthambore Tiger Reserve. At that time, India's Project Tiger was initiated with only an estimated 268 tigers nationally, and Ranthambore had fewer than a dozen. Thapar's decades of advocacy, research, and photography gave tigers a crucial voice.
His work led to the establishment of the Ranthambore Foundation in 1988, which supported displaced villagers and improved conservation efforts. These initiatives included relocating villages, enhancing patrols, and developing alternative livelihoods, transforming Ranthambore into a thriving habitat.
Today, Ranthambore National Park is renowned for tiger viewings, with its population now sustaining about 70 tigers. Thapar, who passed away last May at 73, saw this incredible resurgence firsthand. His final project, the photobook 'Ranthambhore: Fifty Iconic Years,' co-created with Kairav Engineer, documents this half-century of change.
The photobook and an accompanying exhibition showcase over 800 images from 130 photographers, illustrating the park's evolution and conservation success. Proceeds from these projects will benefit the NGO Tiger Watch, supporting anti-poaching efforts and forest guard welfare.
