Rajendra Singh – The Waterman Of India

He was tormented by the inability of his superiors to do anything to save the environment or save Rajasthan as it faced severe drought all around the year. He finally left his job, sold all of his household belongings and moved to Thanagazi tehsil in Alwar district, where he encountered the severe water problem that the villagers faced. It was so severe that it came to be known as the “dark zone”. He focused on rebuilding johads (traditional check dams) instead of exploitative bore wells that further gave rise to water scarcity. Within 3 years this barren landscape was transformed into one of Rajasthan’s most luscious and green fields. In the years that followed, TBS expanded and constructed 4,500 johads in 850 villages across 11 districts in Rajasthan. Rajendra Singh won the Magsaysay Award for Community Leadership, Jamnalal Bajaj Award, and Stockholm Water Prize. He was also instrumental in stopping the contentious Loharinag Pala Hydro Power Project. His dedication has inspired many upcoming environmentalists to take up the flag themselves and work towards environmentalist protection and preservation.