Dr Rajendra Singh is the first Professor of Practice in Community Leadership in Environmental Design at Anant National University. Known as the ‘Waterman of India,’ he has dedicated nearly five decades to environmental and water conservation efforts in India. Born on August 6, 1959, Dr Singh has earned prestigious awards such as the Ramon Magsaysay Award (2001) and the Stockholm Water Prize (2015) for his transformative contributions.

At Anant, Dr Singh will mentor Anant students, guiding them through real-world, on-ground projects that foster community engagement and problem-solving skills. He will lead live-action projects, ensuring that learning extends beyond textbooks. His extensive experience will help Anant enhance the pedagogy through insightful critiques, creating an impactful learning environment.

As the founder of Tarun Bharat Sangh (TBS), established in 1975 near the Sariska Tiger Reserve, Dr Singh has empowered rural communities in semi-arid regions near the Thar Desert to manage water resources through traditional techniques such as johads (rainwater percolation ponds), check dams and rainwater storage tanks. His efforts have revitalised over 15,800 drought-stricken villages, enabling the return of more than a million farmers and mitigating rural migration due to drought and flood.

An Ayurveda graduate with a postgraduate degree in Hindi Literature, Dr Singh holds honorary doctorates from multiple universities, recognising his immense contributions to sustainable water management. In 2023, he chaired the newly formed People’s Commission on Drought and Flood, conducting over 500 programmes internationally to address increasing drought and flood crises.

A passionate advocate for indigenous knowledge, Dr Singh emphasises community-led approaches to tackle water scarcity and climate change. His initiatives include water literacy drives, meditation camps and seminars that have established 111 grassroots groups, river parliaments and Jalgram Sabhas across India. He champions the belief that while the water crisis is a global challenge, solutions lie in local, collaborative efforts rooted in respect for nature and traditional wisdom.

A nature enthusiast, Dr Singh loves spending time in the mountains and engaging with the locals. However, his real passion lies in river tracing (nadi parikrama or nadi anurekhan). He has travelled from the source to the end of more than 300 rivers across the globe.

Contact: rajendra.singh@anu.edu.in