Humble Beginnings
Born in 1960 into a poor tribal farming family in Talai village, Jhadol tehsil, Udaipur district, Kishan Lal Vadera faced hardships early on. He received his primary education in Talai and studied up to the tenth standard but had to discontinue due to financial struggles and the loss of his father and elder brother. He turned to farming to support himself and his extended family.

A Commitment to Community Service
In 1982, Kishan Lal came into contact with Seva Mandir's Adult Education Centre and was inspired to establish one in his village. With his efforts, the centre was set up, and he worked as an instructor until 1987, helping many adults achieve literacy. Alongside this, he initiated wasteland development and agricultural projects, leading to large-scale tree plantations and soil conservation awareness in neighboring villages.

Strengthening the Village Through Unity
In 1988, as secretary of the Village Development Committee, he established a Village Development Fund for emergencies and welfare. His leadership extended to environmental conservation, healthcare awareness, and irrigation projects, benefiting the community significantly.

Joint Forest Management and Forest Rights Struggle
In 2001-02, with Seva Mandir's support, Kishan Lal led a shared forest management project on 150 hectares of community land. When illegal encroachments threatened the forest, he mobilized the Forest Protection Committee and the village group to oppose them. His persistence resulted in administrative action, securing the land.

Under the Forest Rights Act of 2006, he led a decade-long struggle, and in 2019, the village secured community forest rights over 245 hectares. Kishan also played a key role in drafting a management plan, which was approved in 2020. His leadership ensured the removal of encroachments and reinforced sustainable forest management.

Championing Social Reform
Beyond environmental efforts, Kishan has actively fought against social evils like drug addiction and the Mautana practice. As president of the School Management Committee and a regional development forum leader, he continues advocating for social change. He also successfully challenged substandard government construction projects, ensuring better quality infrastructure.

A Legacy of Collective Action
Kishan Lal's grassroots leadership and resilience earned him the Umedmal Lodha Environment Award in 2021, recognizing his unwavering commitment to community-driven change and environmental protection.

"True leadership is not about titles but about action, unity, and

the courage to stand for what is right."