When there are ousters and charges of corruption inside the military junta, Rabinowitz is criticized in an Asian magazine, in an article headlined: "The Greening of a Dictatorship." The magazine accuses him of "being in league with the government to improve its international image."

But Rabinowitz overcomes this conundrum as well, demonstrating his mettle and continuing a relationship with authorities, as well as his negotiating finesse.

The valley is more quiet today, with a major decrease in settlers and itinerant gold miners — and an increase in tigers.

Only time will tell if the giant effort to make a success of the tiger reserve pays off. But the progress since 1999 has been amazing.

Rabinowitz, whose own health is still shaky, tells a fascinating story that should be important to inhabitants of the entire world. And he writes with the same light touch he employs with his family and in his diplomacy.

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E-mail: dennis@desnews.com