Modest and sincere, S.K. Verma completed his M.Sc. from Rajputana University in 1956 impelled by his keen desire to contribute to development of forestry. He studied for his P.G. Degree in Indian Forest College, India, now known as Indira Gandhi National Forest Academy Dehradun. He Joined Rajasthan Forest Service as Conservator of Forest in 1958. In 1964-65 when Indian Forest Service was initially constituted as an All India Service, he was selected for Indian Forest Service by Home Affair Ministry, GOI. He gradually rose to the highest level of Indian Forest Service as Principal Chief Conservator of Forest and Wildlife, Rajasthan State.
As a part of his distinguished career, Verma successfully accompolished the task of establishing a new Department of Environment in 1984 assigned to him by the state government. He framed new guidelines for different sectors of industries, mining and other environmental hazardous activities. After the Bhopal gas tragedy, he took immediate steps to identify the possible sites of toxic substances and initiated emergency measures through out the state. In 1986 the state government asked him to establish a new Directorate of Social Forestry and made him its first Director. As State Silviculturist, Rajasthan, he did intensive forest research on plants for wasteland development and stabilization of shifting sand dunes. To him goes the credit of creating a network for researchers in universities of India and abroad. He also successfully planned the habitat management in all wildlife National Parks and sanctuaries of the state and implemented eco-development work for the wildlife sanctuaries meeting the need of suitable habit for food, shelter and breeding.
Verma took part in several programmes abroad including training in Forestry and Forest Product Research, forest management and forest based industries under Colombo Plan in Japan and International seminar on Environment Impact assessment in Nepal. As a member of Indian Delegation (FAO sponsored visit) he attended training on People's Participation in Forestry in People Republic of China. He has been closely associated with societies such as Commonwealth Human Ecology Council, India Chapter, Society for International Department - India Chapter, Japan International co-operation Agency, New Delhi, International Society for Tropical Ecology and Society of Indian Foresters, Dehradun.
As a guest lecturer, he has delivered lecture at Swedish international development agency, SWED Forest, New Delhi, Ford Foundation, New Delhi, Nehru Foundation for Development, Vikram Sarabhai Centre for Development Interaction, Ahmedabad and IIM, Ahmedabad.
Verma has contributed numberous research papers and articles in English as well as Hindi to several journal, magazines and newspapers on topics ranging from Bhils of Rajasthan to Salim Ali, 'Bharat Mein Pakshi Vigyan Ke Janmadata'. Books authored by him include Reviving Wetlands-Issues and Challenges', Mewar Through Ages - Documentation Work of 100 Heritage Sites of Mewar and 'Jharokha Mewar Ki Sanskritik Dharohar Ka'.
Verma shifted from Jaipur to his home town Udaipur after his retirement to do voluntary work and initiate public movement to save the Aravali ranges in southern Rajasthan. He joined other voluntary organizations and service oriented public trusts at Udaipur. As president of Green ARC Society, which does not take any grant from the govt. or other organization, he is actively engaged in several activities and is a member of Expert Group UNESCO-THCN, New Delhi IUCN, India, Nagar Educational Development Trust, Udaipur.
As Convenor, Udaipur Chapter of INTACH (Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage), he has been able to involve a large number of persons including specialists, historians, architects, town planners and educationists etc. to take up useful projects. Verma has been working in several fields such as rural development in tribal villages, clean water, sanitation and cleanliness, environment, education, health, job creation and training and preservation of heritage.
No wonder, with his integrity, broad vision and commitment, verma has created a niche amongst those concerned with environment.
