Activist
Rajendra Singh
Water Conservationist ('Waterman of India') · Rajasthan
The Story
Rajendra Singh (the 'Waterman of India') left government service in 1984, sold his belongings, and moved to Alwar district in Rajasthan. Through Tarun Bharat Sangh (TBS), he mobilized rural communities to construct over 8,600 traditional earthen Johad check-dams, reviving 5 extinct rivers, recharging groundwater tables, and stopping illegal Aravalli mining.
Impact
Revived 5 dried rivers (Arvari, Ruparel, Sarsa, Bhagani, Jahajwali) and built 8,600+ Johad check-dams across 1,000+ villages
Evidence
Stockholm Water Prize 2015 ('Nobel Prize for Water'), Ramon Magsaysay Award 2001, Jamnalal Bajaj Award 2005
Replication
Tarun Bharat Sangh (TBS) traditional rainwater harvesting model adopted across 6,500 km² in 4 states