Laxman Singh is a pioneering water conservationist from Lapodiya village in Jaipur, Rajasthan. Born into a farming family, he witnessed the severe water scarcity and poverty that plagued his village. In 1977, at the age of 18, Singh initiated the revival of the village's dried-up pond, leading to the formation of the Gram Vikas Nav Yuvak Mandal Lapodiya (GVNML) in 1980, an organization dedicated to community development and environmental conservation.
Singh's innovative "Chauka" system of water harvesting involves creating interconnected mud embankments and pits that slow down rainwater runoff, allowing it to percolate into the ground and recharge groundwater levels. For his exceptional contributions to water conservation, Laxman Singh was honored with the Padma Shri award in 2023. His work continues to inspire communities worldwide, demonstrating the power of grassroots innovation in addressing environmental challenges.