Eminent wildlife conservation activist, A J T Johnsingh, is no more
Death
3 min read
Distinguished Indian wildlife conservationist and biologist Asir Jawahar Thomas Johnsingh, also known as A J T Johnsingh, passed away in Bengaluru, Karnataka on 7 June 2024. A J T Johnsingh was 78 years old.
The death of A J T Johnsingh, a courageous environmental activist, is seen as a great loss for conservation activity in India.
About A J T Johnsingh
AJT Johnsingh was born in Nanguneri, Tirunelveli district of Tamil Nadu. His birthplace lies in the Western Ghats, an evergreen forest with a variety of wildlife. He was born into a family of agriculturists. He developed a passion for nature and wildlife from childhood.
Johnsingh was deeply influenced by Colonel Edward James ‘Jim’ Corbett's tales, which were based on Indian wildlife.
He joined the country’s premier institute for research on wildlife and its management, the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) in Dehradun, as a faculty member and retired as the Dean.
After his retirement, he was active in wildlife conservation efforts and was associated with various conservation organisations such as the Nature Conservation Foundation, WWF India, and the Corbett Foundation.
He knew many tiger habitats in the country. He played a vital role in the establishment of Kalakkad-Mundanthurai Tiger Reserves (Tamil Nadu) located in the Western Ghats. He was one of the primary people who exposed the death of all the tigers in the Sariska tiger sanctuary in Rajasthan. His research primarily centred on the Asian elephant, goral, Himalayan ibex, Nilgiri tahr, sloth bear, Asiatic lion, grizzled giant squirrel, and Nilgiri langur.
AJT Johnsingh has authored over 70 scientific papers and more than 80 popular articles on wildlife conservation.
Awards and Recognition
AJT Johnsingh's pioneering effort in wildlife conservation and ecology brought him many rewards and recognitions.
He was awarded India’s fourth highest civilian award -Padma Shri.
He was conferred with the 2004 Distinguished Service Award for Government from the Society for Conservation Biology, the ABN AMRO Sanctuary Lifetime Wildlife Service Award in 2005 and the 2004 Carl Zeiss Wildlife Conservation Award for lifetime service to Indian wildlife.
