Aman Singh holds a M.Sc. (Master of Science) degree and Training in Environment Education‐ a post graduate Diploma in Environment and Development, and is also a graduate of the Environmental Leadership Program (ELP), University of California. He has taken part in several month-long courses, such as ‘Deep Ecology & Bioregionalism’ at Schumacher College, England. He is proficient in Hindi and English languages, and can follow and read several local languages and dialects like Rajasthani, Mewati etc.
Work and achievements- Aman Singh is the Founder of “Krishi Avam Paristhitiki Vikas Sansthan” (KRAPAVIS), a voluntary organisation which works to revive orans or sacred groves of Rajasthan. In the past 20 years in KRAPAVIS, Aman Singh has overseen the regeneration of hundreds orans, and has taken initial steps to influence policy changes and legislation in the state. One of its most important results can be seen in the recently published Rajasthan State Forest Policy 2010, which includes the local population in the management of orans. Considering that “orans are islands of good forests and repositories of rich biodiversity. These orans are excellent examples of people’s religious faith linked with conservation,” the state authorities acknowledge the ideas that KRAPAVIS has been advocating for long.
The success of initiatives is evidenced by that Aman Singh receive numerous awards and Fellowships. Government of Rajasthan/ Forest Department has awarded his organisation as “Vraksha Vardhak Puruskar” (Tree Conservation Award) of the year 2008-09, for forest conservation through orans. Also, it has been awarded as finalists for the UNDP’s Equat¬or Prize¬ 2012. Aman Singh has been awarded “Asian Technical Award 2008” for orans renovation. In 2004, ASHOKA: The Global Association of Leading Social Entrepreneurs recognised Aman Singh as a leading social entrepreneur for his innovative revival of orans. He is also a LEAD Fellow. ‘Trees for the Future’ USA has also awarded him. He received several sponsorships/fellowships from different international agencies like UNDP, UNOCHA, IFAD/ ILC, UNDP/WISP, Schumacher College U.K., Ford Foundation and University of California etc.
He is the author of nine monographs (small books) and about hundred articles concerned with orans, rural ecology and pastoralism, as well as an editor of a quarterly newsletter “Devbani Re Baat” (i.e. news bulletin on sacred forests) publishes in Hindi language, so far 22 issues have been published of it. He has presented at international level in various meetings/ conferences/ workshops in different about a dozen countries like India (of course, own country), England, Ethiopia, Scotland, Tanzania, France, Indonesia, Kenya, Bulgaria and USA etc.
