Noted wildlife photographer and conservationist Adiya ‘Dicky’ Singh, known for developing a forest reserve on the outskirts of the Ranthambore National Park in Rajasthan’s Sawai Madhopur district, died of a heart attack at his home on Wednesday. He was 57. He is survived by his wife, Poonam, and 11-year-old daughter, Nyra.
Mr. Singh left the Indian Administrative Service in 1998 and shifted to Ranthambore to pursue his passion for wildlife photography and work on documentaries and conservation projects. He worked as a field assistant for wildlife documentaries produced for BBC, National Geographic, NHK Broadcasting Service and several other institutions.
Mr. Singh leased a government property and purchased about 40 acres of the adjacent farmland, where he created a forest reserve. His initiative to cultivate the forest on the boundary of Ranthambore National Park stopped woodcutting and illegal mining in the area. The reserve continues to be a non-commercial property.
He was also operating a homestay, called Ranthambore Bagh, on the outskirts of the tiger reserve. He co-authored a book, ‘Noor: Queen of Ranthambore’, throwing light on aspects of the life of a tigress Noor through a collection of photographs and stories. He was known for his ability to identify each tiger in the landscape of both Ranthambore and Mukundra tiger reserves.
Apart from conducting guided safaris through the tiger reserve, Mr. Singh helped out the national park’s staff in their work and mentored other conservationists and researchers. He was known for his ability to identify each tiger in the landscape of both Ranthambore and Mukundra tiger reserves.
Wildlife enthusiasts and conservationists from across the country have condoled Mr. Singh’s death.
Mr. Singh was a recipient of several awards, including the prestigious Carl Zeiss Award for Conservation in 2012 and the Sanctuary Wildlife Photographer of the Year in 2011. He was maintaining one of the largest collections of photographs from Ranthambore, which he clicked over a period of more than 20 years.
Wildlife enthusiasts and conservationists from across the country have condoled Mr. Singh’s death. Conservation biologist Neha Sinha, who first shared the news of his death on Wednesday morning, said he was a “true friend of wildlife and tigers” and was generous with his advice on wildlife photography.
“Among his many notable qualities, he was also a stout defender of liberty... While I remember him for the tigers, I also remember him for his generosity and kindred spirit towards humanity,” Ms. Sinha posted on X (formerly Twitter).
