Me
Lodge owner, photographer, wildlife enthusiast, conservationist, traveller or just plain confused…….that’s for you to decide…………..
Aditya Singh
The Ranthambhore Bagh, Ranthambhore Road, Sawai Madhopur.
Summary
I have a background in sciences with a Bachelors degree in Engineering. I followed this up by joining the ICS (Indian Civil Service) and worked there till I decided that my interests and calling lay in work in the field of environment and natural habitat & wildlife protection.
I have lived in Ranthambhore for many years working on various projects in this domain as recorded below.
Environment & Wildlife Projects
Water security in Indala plateau in Ranthambhore (Jan 2008 – Present)
Started a water security project in the Indala plateau of Ranthambhore tiger reserve with the Forest Department and successfully dug three large water holes in the same plateau.
M.Sc. Environment & Ecology (May 2006 – Present)
I enrolled in a masters program in Environment and Ecology and aim to do my doctorate in the same subject.
Monsoon Project (May 2006 – Sep 2006)
I was part of a very small team that along with a few officers of the Forest Department of Ranthambhore conceived and implemented the “Anti-grazing and Wildlife monitoring project” in Ranthambhore. We conceived the project, collected funds for it and were actively involved in its implementation.
TOFT Representative (2006 - Present)
I was appointed as the Ranthambhore representative for Travel Operators for Tigers in 2006.
Documentation of wildlife in Corbett National Park (May 2005)
I spent 28 days documenting and photographing wildlife in and around Corbett National Park for a personal project that is yet to happen.
Third Tiger Crisis (Mar 2005 – Present)
I was part of a small group of people who highlighted the sorry plight of the tigers in India. This started from Ranthambhore and later on came to be known as the Third Tiger Crisis. This started a big debate between conservationists all over the world and eventually led to a drastic revamp of the official tiger conservation set-up in India.
Operation Co-Operation, Ranthambhore (Feb 2005 – Mar 2005)
I played an integral part in setting up, planning and execution of the short lived but highly successful anti-poaching program called Operation Co-Operation – a joint effort between the Forest Department and the stake-holders of Ranthambhore National Park – which lead to the identification and capture of three gangs of tiger poachers of Rajasthan.
Tracking and trapping of “Man-eating Leopards” (Dec 2004 – Jan 2005)
I was requested by “The Chief Wildlife Warden” of the State of Rajasthan to join a team to search & capture man eating leopards which were causing significant human damage in the Chittor district. This project was done under the auspices of “Tiger Watch”. This activity was successfully completed in Jan 2005.
Project on Bio-Diversity of Ranthambhore (June 2004 – Present)
I am working as a part of the team under the auspices of Tiger Watch which conducts bio-diversity studies in the region of Ranthambhore.
Kids for tigers (June 2003 – Present)
Coordinator, Ranthambhore
Kids for Tigers is a nation-wide program that aims at educating, involving, creating and enhancing the awareness of tigers and related topics among school children. I also am responsible for the annual camp, which brings together kids selected for their interest and proficiency in this domain where we train them to be naturalists and develop as “Tiger Ambassadors”.
Compilation of official listing of birds in Ranthambhore (2003 – 2004)
Coordinator,
I was responsible, with another coordinator, for the compilation of the official list of all birds (resident and migratory) in the areas of Ranthambhore. This list is the official record of all the avians in this area and is used by numerous organizations as a reference guide.
Tiger population census (1984 – Present)
I am an active and regular member of the team which is responsible for the monitoring and oversight of the tiger census program in India.
“Danger in Tigers Paradise” (2001 - 2002)
Worked with The BBC in support their filming of the aforesaid 1 hour television documentary. The documentary focused on the life of a tigress and her litter consisting of 2 male cubs and the issues and challenges they face. Worked involved included tracking, identifying and assisting in the filming of the tigers.
Education & Vocational Summary
Modern School, Barakhamba Road, New Delhi
Bachelor of Engineering, BMS College Of Engineering, Bangalore
The Indian Civil Service, Ministry Of Communication, New Delhi.
Personal
Citizenship: Indian
Date of Birth: 24/5/1966
Marital Status: Married
Great blog Dicky, Well done…
Just to add in
TOFT Ranthambhore Representative - (2006 - Present)
Would Like to get the report on man eating leopards of chittor..kindly mail it across
Hey buzzy guy good stuff
Dear Aditya, just a link to give you and update of the tiger population and action in Vietnam…
http://exitstageright.wordpress.com/2008/06/12/extinction-threatens-vietnam-tigers/
We happen to live in Hanoi next to an area famous for its dog restaurants…wait ! I am coming to tigers … Although many of the wild life that are churned in the backyards are illegal, but recently a tiger was found in the boot of a car 10 mins round the corner from where we live. I leave it to you to figure out its destiny. The Vietnamese like all SE Asians have dead strong beliefs in eating animals parts to prolong or seek sexual potency. Ann Summers would do a wonderful business here! So doing, the forests here apart from the American nukes destroying all fauna and flora, locals did-do their best to see to it that all wonderful wild life creatures end up in a nice ‘nutritious’ broth. More of the local weird culinary ‘exploits’ is shared by Chef Bobby Chinn in his book ‘ Wild, Wild East’ he details his experiences and tiffs with the local colours and ingredients … more of him are found on BBC Travel & Living series. He is a fun bloke and a good friend and he certainly knows what he has seen landing on the kitchen tops.
The reason for this long debacle is only to situate the market for the poaching. These poor animals yield 95% of their wonderful beings to totally uneducated, brutal, famished, and barbaric taste of the Sino Asians and alike ( Koreans come 2nd to Japanese and Chinese). There is a long stretch of some 6 kms in Hanoi littered with business restaurants. They are the sole places huge business deals are exchanged over a plate of exotic animal …right under the nose of the authority ! Great irony of it all - the WWF office is only 3 mins walking distance to the 1st restaurant….Let you imagine what a wonderful world we live in !
All the best mate for the tremendous effort you put into your conviction of loving and saving wild life. We are only poor passive nuts who still cannot brave it enough to ‘crusade’ enough for it …
This happened to me 3 weeks ago. It is unbelievable … might give you an insight about how things are easy here … Still on the hunt for a maid, I had one lady who came on a week’s trial. She was quick to react on the tiger picture you gave us and that we had enlarged and put in the dining room (nothing intentional) but offered us a pleasant picture as soon as we walk in the house. She started telling me about all the good that is imparted by eating tigers! I was on red alert … but kept my cool. Soon, she was telling me about her uncle who was healed of his arthritis after consuming tigers soup. And that she also had done so. Even suggesting that it helped Viet congs become strong to fight the invaders after eating tigers. And IF I wanted to get any part of a tiger, she could get me the powdered version of 100 g for 500US$ ! By then, my patience and calm had run out … and I gave her the longest speech about NOT eating tigers I could improvise. Unfortunately, there is authority here you can report the matter to …otherwise the lady would have had to tell her stories to someone else. Needless to tell you that after that, she did not get the job !
http://user.aol.com/tigertrail/viet-nam.htm
Hanoi - Vietnamese authorities freed two live tigers from a car in Hanoi and later found 12 live bears in a raid on a suspected major wildlife trafficking ring, an official said Wednesday.
Authorities had been tracking the suspected trafficking operation for at least two months, and arrested six people in the raid on Monday night, according to local media.
The two live tigers and the bears have been transferred to the Hanoi Wildlife Rescue Centre, according to Nguyen Van Nhung, an official at the center.
‘The tigers are in stable condition now. We haven’t yet decided what to do with them,’ Nhung said Wednesday.
Police had been monitoring the headquarters of suspected trafficking ring and on Monday night officers saw a car approach the house and people carrying two large bags out of the vehicle, according to Lao Dong newspaper.
The officers stopped the cars and found the two tigers - each weighing about 100 kilograms - alive, but drugged, Nhung confirmed.
Police then raided the home and found the frozen carcasses of four more tigers, 10 bear paws, two elephant tusks, a rhinoceros horn and about 16 kilograms of animal bone ground into a paste, Lao Dong reported.
Officers also seized a shotgun and two kilns used for making paste out of animal bones, used in many traditional medicines.
Police arrested suspected ringleaders Nguyen Quoc Truong and Nguyen Thi Mui. Truong confessed that he had bought the tigers from Nguyen Thi Mui for 320 million dong (20,000 dollars), Lao Dong reported.
Four suspected accomplices were also arrested.
‘Tiger paste’ made from boiled tiger bones is believed by many Vietnamese to heal the bones of the elderly and can sell for as much as 5,000 dollars a kilogram on the black market.
Only a few hundred wild tigers remain in Vietnam’s forests.
Trading in endangered species is subject to a prison term of up to seven years and a cash fine of up to 20 million dong (1,250 dollars) under Vietnamese law.
Aditya
Like the new website,keep up the good work.
aditya ji , I hope we are of same charactor. like to meet you. My threat area is Achanakmar Sanctury , Chhatisgarh, I invite you to visit realy untouched jugles of central india , ihave been exploring this area since 1989 , still there are dozens of valley where i have not entered . ok
anurag
Dear Aditya,
Its really heartening to know more about you although I hav been watching ur images on INW for some time.I really admire ur guts, to give up a govt. job and plunge into wildlife activities.Keep it up and all the best.Wish to meet you sometime.Even I hav the same passion for Indian wildlife,but I hav not been able to get into it fulltime.But surely try to do more after learning about your activities.
Regards
Regards
Dear Mr. Aditya Singh,
I recently visited your website but many times seeing your work at INW. I appreciate your love for the wildlife and tigers, for that you’ve given up your previous job. I wish you all the best luck for all the activities & future. Love for Wildlife is a matter that can’t described in words. For me wildlife is first love, and become full time wildlife artist for the last 4 years. To be always with the nature is like a dream come true. I wish all the creatures live their life with love & freedom like us. Someday i’ll surely visit ranthambhore….
with all best wishes & have lots of success,
Sincerely,
Rahul Parekh
http://www.rahulparekhwildlife.com
Dear Mr. Aditya “Dicky” Singh,
My husband is a Director of Photography filming a high profile documentary in India right now. He is interested in visiting Ranthambore to film Tigers on October 2nd, 2008. I’d like to exchange some private emails with you. Please email me.
Kind regards,
Madison Slate
Ranthambhore has lot of naturalists and photographers but no one can stand infront of you !!!!! Me also want to learn something from you,if you are interested to teach me ?
Hi Dicky,
On another note and news on the Sariska Tigers?
Regards
Andrew
This is a great blog Aditya…
Congratulations for this wonderful initiative!
Very informative site Aditya.
Kudos for all the good work you have been doing.
Regards,
DG
great work Aditya! keep it up…
hello Aditya!
we stayed at your hotel on the 27th and the 28th of October this year.
this is to say thank you for such a homely atmosphere and your very friendly and well trained staff.
there i experienced hospitality in its true sense!
u may remember me by the fact that u arranged for our transfer from the room to tent no.4 (Karen’s tent) on our request—Thanx a million for that!
we really enjoyed our stay at Ranthambore Bagh-and though my husband and my daughter couldnt get to see the tiger-i was lucky enough that i spotted a tiger-it was one of its kind of experience
i wanted to thank u personally before leaving but i couldnt find you.
bye and thanx once more
veeral
Hi Aditya,
I was at Ranthambhore on 20/Nov/08 but unfortunately the visit was in a hurry (was attending a marriage at Jaipur). I just managed to miss the main safari to the park and had to be satisfied with the Sawai-Madhopur sanctuary. I still loved that immensely. I was planning to visit again in Dec/Jan and then came across your website. Seems to be an extremely interesting place. Now I know I will be staying with you. With lots of excitement looking forward to the trip.
Hello Mr. Aditya,
I’m Naveen Kumar Meena, basically from Sawai Madhopur itself, presently in Pune pursuing MBA.
Please check:
http://sawaimadhopur.co.nr
http://ghumantu-batuta.blogspot.com
http://edge-you-cation.blogspot.com
and give your comments on my mail
My email:
naveen.swm@gmail.com
Dear Aditya,
we (my friend, daughter and me) are visiting you on the weekend of the 23rd. Wanted to talk to you about various points which we are confused about as time is limited and we want to taken in as much of life/air/sights at Ranthambhore as possible. Was at Periyar last year and saw nothing but bison… as much as I understand that the big cat is his own master, am excited about the possibility… Do write to me on my email or let me have your number so that you can help us figure what how we should distribute our time.
Thanks,
Ritu
Hi Aditya,
Happy New Year!
do you have any other news on the sariska tigers?
I think considering the Tigers came from Ranthambhore that the forest department should keep you guys informed!
Has anyone you know actually visited Sariska and seen them?
Regards
Andy
I will travel to India next month for 3 weeks - with 2 of those in the tiger parks - my gear will consist of nikon d3 200-400 vr - can you suggest the best stabilization system (monopod, tripod, bag, clamp) to use in the open Jeeps - unfortunatley my wife and I will not have a private vechicle as we do in Africa since we are part of a group
any help would be greatly apprecviated
thanks
Bill White
Hi,
Came across your website as my son and I are coming to India in February and are coming to Ranthambhore to do a morning safari.
Great website and really lovely photos.
Do you think we have any chance of seeing a tiger - morning safari, mid Feb?
What else will we see?
Also, is there malaria in the park?
Thanks!
Looking forward to visiting vert much
Hi Aditya,
Great blog! Unfortunately, the site does not seem to be rendering pictures. Can you please fix it?
Many Thanks.
Kind regards,
Praveen
http://toastedpizza.wordpress.com/
Dear Mr Singh
I am hoping you can help me with images for a publication I am at present
producing. I represent Wetlands International (www.wetlands.org), a
non-profit making organisation dedicated solely to wetland conservation and
sustainable management.
Wetlands International is producing a Wader (Shorebird) Atlas of species
which use the flyways to and from Africa north into Russia. The book will
have information relevant to decision makers, politicians, government officials,
conservation organisations and similar. Besides the text, tables and maps for
each species and to help ‘brighten’ the information we are trying to
find one photograph for each of the 90 species. I have just seen your beautiful image
of a Great Thicknee and wondered if it was possible
to use this photograph in the Atlas.
The budget for this project is small and the money available does not do
justice to your beautiful photograph! However, I can offer 15 euros for
each photo used plus, of course, an acknowledgement alongside each photo.
If you kindly agree to WI using your images could you send me a
high-resolution of about 1Mb in size of the image attached to this email.
I will then need an invoice made out to Wetlands International for them to
be able to pay you in euros.
Many thanks for your help.
Rodney West Designer
Just a short note to say I have enjoyed reading your blog. You bring the forest to life for people like me who are far from it. Your writing is clear and passionate; your sentences flow beauifully, and it is a pleasure to hear your thoughts.
I thoroughly enjoyed the thrill of the T3 collar story, and read with great interest, your views on sustainable tourism.
- Deepa
http://www.mumbai-magic.blogspot.com
Hey Dicky
found this site while going thru ranthambhore sites … just browsing around .. and guess what there you were and I had no bloody idea!!!!!!!!
Coming to check iur place out soooooooooon:):)
Kuleenan
Your pioneering effort to save tigers and other fauna and flora particularly in Ranthambhore and Sariska have enriched our knowledge and earned our deep appreciation. I have been frequently roaming in the Indian jungles since my first experience of forest in visiting Sariska Sanctuary in October,1970. Both terrains of Ranthambhore and Sundarbans are examples of diversity at its extreme and Tigers still survive because of efforts of persons like you. Aditya, please post latest information about estimated number of Tigers and Leopards in Ranthambhore. What exactly is happening in Sariska!For last three months news are posted that tigress will give birth of cubs during monsoons.SAKTIPADA PANIGRAHI DL 47,SALT LAKE,KOLKATA 700091
i love wildlife like hell………and hearing about all those people eating tiger to cure their illness..its weird…if we tell them to eat human meat for curing illness , will they become cannibals…!
Dear Aditya,
I am a close friend of Nitin (AK…silky) and Mathew Abraham I am married to his wife’s sister.
Great web site, I love the passion you have for your work.
I am a keen photographer and come to India often , I would love to go professional (when the wife lets me)…. I have been working on my web site still need to put more images/content in,
I would love you to comment on my work Nitin speaks very highly of you ….when he’s sober.
arvindmistry.com
I look forward to your reply
Arvind
Dear Dicky Bana,
great profile to read, I was searching detail about Ranthambhor national park, your blog came & kept reading your both sites( http://www.dickysingh.com & http://www.ranthambhor.com) for many hours. Picture & Information is really amazing.
Being leaving in bangalore, I explore most of time in bandipur/nagerhole/madumali national park.
It was great pleasure to read a person like you.
Rgds
Yashpal S Rathore
Hi Aditya,
Have any new cubs been born in ranthambhore recently?
Regards
Andy
Hi Aditya,
Went through your blog and invested good time with a wonderful
ROI.Great Job,keep it up. I had been to Ranthambhore last year
and wish to add the same in my annual calender.
Wish to catch up with you and imbibe whatever I can.
Regards
Saurabh Bhatnagar
hi aditya, remember me? i am a journalist from Mumbai and we met during a Sanctuary programme at the Taj Hotel. my email id is ashwin.crimereporter@gmail.com u can also contact me at 09920383136
Hi! I am a wildlife enthusiast and great lover of Tigers. I have been to corbett 6 times. Corbett is like my second home as I use to visit there twice a year atleast. This time I want to visit Ranthambore. I have met you once around 5-6 years back in Delhi whe you were planning to get a website developed. I am working with Indiamart. I would love to stay with you to have a wonderful experience of Ranthambore. Kindly suggest what is the best time to visit there.
Faisal Ahmed
9711070786 / 9810190807
Hi Aditya!
My wife Kinjal and I just got back to US. We had an awesome time at the Baug. Here is a link to an article I found online. Thought it may interest you as a student of Ecology.
http://www.livemint.com/2009/06/15211849/Now-genetic-data-to-help-trac.html
There is a mention of RNP in it!
Hi Dicky,
It was a pleasure going thru ur blog. Your pics are also amazing. Would love to join hands in your efforts towards wildlife conservation. No idea - how and where to start. Gr8 job
Dear Aditya,
I would start by really appreciating your cause and dedication which is remarkable in today’s times.
I really have read every article on your website and must say that
you do inspire me to get away from the urban segment of life.
We intend to travel to ranthambhore on the 26th Dec 09 till the 29th Dec.
Could you please confirm for me if we could book accomodation in your lodge on the roof of which a Tiger had called home for few days.I do a little bit of photography as well and was so excited about Ranthambhore that I bought myself a new 500 mm lens.
I shall really appreciate your response.
Warm Regards,
Nitin
hallo sir,
amazing website and wonderful photographes
heads of to u, i m a nature lover and a very big fan of ur pictures. i want to become a wild life photographer
will u plz help me
hallo sir ,
thank u so much for ur suggetion i m very happy to see ur reply
i want to know that where is machhli now? she changed her
terretory or moving arround in raj bagh area.
plz reply .
regards
intazar ahmad
Dear Aditya,
I read some of your posts here and feel really sad for the tigers that they have been identified as the National Animal but still Government and National Park Authorities aren’t doing enough to secure their future. I am passionate about Big Cats and I hope in near future I will be able to make a contribution being in the field. I have a passion of Photography and I must accept that I am a serious enthusiast when it comes to Photography and my interest are Nature and Wildlife.
Lets,leave all these things behind and get to the serious thing that I thought I should discuss with you and you could be the person who could seriously do something about tigers as you have a great experience and being in the field you know better than anyone else in Delhi.
By profession I am into IT and I was just thinking that if we could start a Database and a knowledge base which could work as an interface to brainstorm and get most of conservationist around the globe together to share their knwoledge would be of big help.
The thing that is most important is Maintaining a current database of Tigers in different National Reserves by taking pictures and identifying as many individuals as possible.
I hope that you get a rough idea of what I am trying to say.
Wish you all the luck for your future adventures.
Regards,
Saurabh
(New Delhi)
Sir,
Myself a student of Architecture, NIT Hamirpur, Himachal Pradesh congratulates you for doing such a brilliant work in field of Wildlife Photograpy.
If it could be possible that you can embrace our students by giving us tips on nature and wildlife photography in our annual technical fest NIMBUS, which is to be held from 12 mar - 14 mar it will be a honor in our part.
We would be highly obliged and will feel honored for your support in any manner.
Regards,
Adwitiya Patro
+91-9882544703
Dear Aditya
Spoke to you tonite and was really nice to put a voice to the name,a brillant blog/website you have and your background is very special,really looking forward to my trip in april and I will bring you some english tea from my home.All the best Aditya.
Best Wishes
craig jones
Hello Sir,
I was in Ranthambhore on 1st and 2nd Feb 2010, but its my hard luck, could nt able see tiger, we did Evening Safari in canter, Rahis was our driver, we were on Zone 2, but on the same day , There was great sighting by T17 on Zone 3, it was really our bad luck, but on next day in early, woke up at 4:00 , bought a zipsy , got the Zone 3 , but agaain hard luck, T12 was on Zone 2.
from that day Tigers are on my mind, read so many stuff written by you, dharmendra khandelwal, deepali etc. great stuff, Hats to you.
I want to meet you, I want to see tiger,
I want to join you for Tiger Conservation. I m a Software Engineer, I am also a web designer n developer, I m from New Delhi, I want to talk to you and wanna meet you..
Sumit Saini
09899377883
dear sir ,
i am azim siddiqui, i have seen and read about your work, it is amazing and it shows your zeal to work for wildlife. i wish the best for you.
sir right now i am in service but it was from my childhood to be work for the wildlife and i didnt get the way i need to ask you that could i start it on today and what will be the way for it,
could you guide me for it.
where can i contact u aditya?
email??
Hi Aditya,
I hope you are well and really hope that you can find the time to update your blog as I really enjoy hearing all about the wildlife encounters you have!
Please could you tell me if there is a census again this year and what are the dates etc!
kind regards
Andy
hi Aditya.
wanted to contact you through email, my email is mentioned.
Take care.
Niloy.
Hi Aditya,
3:17 AM Feb 28th 2010 , They are all asleep , I just happened to stumble upon your blogs and it has been love at 1st sight, You are an inspiration to wildlife lovers like me , BTW me and a friend are planning a trip to Ranthambore this year and I’m sure that I will do 2 things :
1. Meet Machali
2. Meet Aditya Singh
Sad part though !!! Both will be subject to availability
Cheers Mate, Happy Holi