Feisty 'Billy' Arjan Singh is a conservationist recognised by most tiger lovers. Born in Gorakhpur in 1917, he joined the British army in 1940 and fought in World War II. Upon his return to India he puchased a farm on the edge of Dudhwa Tiger Reserve and National Park in the Lahimpur Kheri district of India. He still lives here in a residence he designed and calls 'Tiger Haven'.
Singh was honoured for his conservation efforts with Padma Shri in 1995. One of India's highest national awards it is conferred on people who distinguish themselves in different fields. This was closely followed by the world wildlife gold medal in 1976, then the Order of the Golden Ark only a year later and the lifetime award for tiger conservation in March 1999.