Valmik Thapar Knihy

Offers a pictorial profile of the endangered tiger, discussing the animal's history, the danger it faces from human encroachment and predation, and its future

Captivating people worldwide, the tiger has inspired awe since ancient times. This book serves as a tribute to this remarkable creature, offering a comprehensive account of its natural and cultural history—from evolution and behavior to its symbolic significance in myth and ritual. It includes both anecdotal and statistical insights into the tiger's ongoing exploitation and survival struggles, shedding light on current conservation efforts. Lavishly illustrated with over 200 images, it features an unparalleled collection of wild tiger photographs, many previously unpublished, showcasing the work of top photographers. The book also presents stunning examples of tiger-inspired art through the ages, including ancient mosaics, Indian paintings, and works by European masters like Delacroix and Dali. The illustrations are sourced from archives, private collections, and museums globally. A passionate narrative by Valmik Thapar, who has dedicated nearly thirty years to observing tigers and advocating for their survival, is complemented by the latest scientific research and essays from twenty leading experts. This stunning volume explores every facet of one of nature's most majestic animals, making it both authoritative and beautiful.

The Secret Life of Tigers documents the family life of three tigresses and their cubs from soon after birth to adulthood. An extraordinary account if records for the first time the active role the male tiger plays as a father.

The extraordinarily diverse Indian subcontinent covers a vast area extending from Pakistan in the west to Bangladesh in the east and stretching north to the Himalayan kingdoms of Bhutan and Nepal. Marked by dramatic extremes of climate and terrain, it is home to black bears, snow leopards, elephants, and flying lizards, and it is the only place in the world where both lions and tigers reside.After a lifetime devoted to the study and conservation of the tiger, Valmik Thapar turns his attention to the plants and animals that share the tiger's domain. How have so many species survived on such a crowded continent, where twenty percent of the world's population exerts intense pressure on the environment? Thapar links the region's tremendous diversity to the reverence shown to nature by Eastern religions, including Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism. But fifty years after India's independence, modern and urban values are seriously eroding the subcontinent's ecosystems.Thapar's careful natural history is enriched by his personal anecdotes and musings on spirituality and culture. His own reverence for the wildlife and landscape he encounters and his brilliant photographs make this book an enthralling read, and it is also a moving argument for more vigilant nature conservation on the Indian subcontinent.

Der indische Subkontinent erstreckt sich von Pakistan bis Bangladesch und umfasst die Himalaya-Königreiche Bhutan und Nepal. Geprägt von extremen Klimaschwankungen und vielfältigen Landschaften, beheimatet er eine beeindruckende Tierwelt, darunter Schwarzbären, Schneeleoparden, Elefanten und fliegende Eidechsen, und ist der einzige Ort, an dem sowohl Löwen als auch Tiger leben. Valmik Thapar, der sein Leben dem Studium und Schutz des Tigers gewidmet hat, richtet seinen Fokus auf die Pflanzen und Tiere, die diesen Lebensraum teilen. Er untersucht, wie so viele Arten auf einem so überfüllten Kontinent überleben können, auf dem zwanzig Prozent der Weltbevölkerung einen enormen Druck auf die Umwelt ausüben. Thapar verknüpft die Biodiversität der Region mit der Ehrfurcht vor der Natur, die in östlichen Religionen wie Hinduismus, Buddhismus und Jainismus verankert ist. Fünfzig Jahre nach Indiens Unabhängigkeit stehen jedoch moderne Werte im Widerspruch zu den Ökosystemen des Subkontinents. Thapars Naturgeschichte wird durch persönliche Anekdoten sowie Überlegungen zu Spiritualität und Kultur bereichert. Seine Ehrfurcht vor der Tierwelt und den Landschaften, die er beschreibt, sowie seine beeindruckenden Fotografien machen das Werk zu einer fesselnden Lektüre und einem eindringlichen Plädoyer für einen bewussteren Naturschutz.