Tiger man Fateh Singh is no more

Tiger man Fateh Singh is no more

Jaipur: Fateh Singh Rathore, one of the pioneers of tiger conservation in India, breathed his last at his residence in Sawai Madhopur on Tuesday. He was 72.
    A former field director of Ranthambore National Park, the ‘tiger man’ was suffering from lung cancer that had spread on to the bones. On Tuesday morning he developed some complications and breathed his last at around 10.25 am. Wellknown for his passion for the big cat, his name was synonymous with Project Tiger.
    “It was in January that doctors diagnosed him with bone cancer. Since then we have been treating him at various hospitals. He was recently admitted to the hospital in Jaipur for treatment. But about a week back, realising that he will not live longer, Fatehji expressed his desire to spend his last days among the hills and forests in Ranthambore and so he was brought back here,” a close aide said.
    Fateh Singh is survived by his wife, son Goverdhan and two daughters — Padmini and Jaya. After retiring from the forest department, he had been heading an NGO, Tiger Watch, at Sawai Madhopur to continue with his contribution.
    The news of his death shocked wildlife activists and common people alike. Thousands poured into his residence in Sawai Madhopur to express their grief. “The last rites will be held on Wednesday,” said Dharmendra Khandal, a conservation biologist and Fateh’s co-worker at Tiger Watch.
    Fateh made his last public appearance in Jaipur last month when he was given the Lifetime Achievement Award by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), India, at the SMS Convention Centre. He had ventured into Ranthambore forests for the last time on February 11 along with his son, grandson and conservationist Belinda Wright.
    His drive to protect Ranthambore National Park had made him an enemy of poachers who used to waylaid him. In 1983, Fateh was awarded the International Valour Award for bravery in the field.

Fateh Singh Rathore was conferred the Lifetime Achievement Award by WWF last month by Rajasthan tourism minister Bina Kak and chief secretary S Ahmed