We are deeply saddened to share the news of the passing of Mr. Thomas Mathew, a towering figure in India’s conservation movement, who left us this morning.

Mr. Mathew was among the founding members of Wildlife Trust of India (WTI), where his vision and leadership helped lay the foundations of an organisation that has since grown into one of the country’s most trusted voices for wildlife and wild spaces. His commitment to safeguarding India’s natural heritage was unwavering, and his contributions have touched countless landscapes, species, and lives.

He also served as the Secretary General and CEO of WWF India, where he provided steadfast leadership and direction during critical years of the organisation’s growth. In every role he took on, Mr. Mathew carried with him an extraordinary blend of wisdom, humility, and passion for conservation. Mr Mathew has been a consultant to the World Bank, the Global Environmental Facility, UNEP and UNIDO. He was appointed Officer of the Order of the Golden Ark in 1994 by HRH Prince Bernhard of the Netherlands in recognition of his services to international conservation. In 1998, Mr. Mathew was awarded a Certificate of Merit by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service for his contributions to conservation.

WTI Founder trustees – (L-R) Mr. Thomas Mathew, Mr. Vivek Menon, Ms.Tara Gandhi and Mr. Ashok Kumar

Beyond his professional accomplishments, Mr. Mathew will be remembered for the warmth and kindness he extended to everyone he worked with. He inspired generations of conservationists, leaving behind not only a legacy of impactful work but also a community of people driven by his example.

Mr. Mathew was more than his roles and titles. Colleagues remember him for his calm resolve, his ability to listen, the depth of his knowledge, and the generous mentorship he offered to young conservationists. His compassion extended beyond professional circles: he believed that caring for nature was inseparable from caring for people. He inspired many to see conservation not merely as a scientific enterprise, but as a moral one.

“I have lost a friend and mentor, who was at various phases of my life, my big boss at WWF India in the early 90s, a supporter who encouraged my international forays by hosting me at his home in Washington DC and later a cherished senior colleague in the formation of WTI. Tom, for he would not allow me to get more formal than that, taught me that the ‘devil lay in the detail’ which I still keep in mind when I mark with copious red ink manuscripts that come to me or plans that the teams produce. He also showed me how it was better to undercommit and over perform than over commit with the ‘landscape of commitments’ that I took to him as a greenhorn eager to make rapid strides in setting up TRAFFIC India with Ashok. Later as the first Chair of WTI he forced the organisation to have a strong structure and build out wards from its strengths” remembers Vivek Menon, Founder and ED of Wildlife Trust of India.

“Tom was held in high regard for his stature as a leader for wildlife conservation. At the time of WTI’s inception, when the four of us founders met for intense and exciting brainstorming sessions, his clear vision was like a beam of light showing the path ahead for true conservation. A man with the highest of principles, he was always composed and dignified, yet incredibly warm with an easy sense of humour. I remember him with great respect, admiration and affection,”, remembers Tara Gandhi, Founder and Life Trustee of Wildlife Trust of India.

Vivek Menon with Mr. Thomas and Prema Mathew

As we mourn this great loss, we also celebrate a life dedicated to protecting the natural world—a life that will continue to inspire us in the work we carry forward. According to Mr. Menon, his daughter Divya described him in a way that he finds absolutely fitting to his memory: “Our dearest Tom (Tomji) and my beloved Appa passed away earlier today. He was a sincere man, who lived a simple life in accordance with deeply-held convictions about the sanctity of humane values.”

Our thoughts are with his family, friends, and the many colleagues who had the privilege of knowing and working alongside him. Yet even as we grieve, we are strengthened by the foundations he laid. The organisations he helped build, the lives he influenced, and the landscapes he fought to protect are part of his lasting legacy. His work will continue in the hands of those he has trained, inspired, and loved. May his soul rest in peace, and may we honour his memory by carrying forward the passion, courage, and compassion with which he served.