Prajna Chowta obtained a Bachelor's Degree at Middlesex University (Comunication studies, Linguistics and Art history) and a Master's Degree in Area Studies (Anthropology, Art & Archaeology and Politics of South Asia) at SOAS (School of Oriental and African Studies), London University,

In 2000, she proposed the creation of the Aane Mane Foundation for the study and conservation of the Asian elephant.

"Aane" means "Elephant", and "Mane" means "Abode", in Kannada, which is the language of Karnataka (Pronounce "Anay Manay").

Aane Mane received the immediate support of various personalities willing to place their experience and influence in projects related to the conservation of elephants and their habitat, notably :

— Late M.P.Prakash, Former Minister and Deputy Chief Minister in the Government of Karnataka.

— Mr. S. Parameswarappa, IFS (Indian Forest Service) Officer and former PCCF (Principal Chief Conservator of Forest) Karnataka Forest Department.

— Dr. Kaveriappa, Doctor in Botany, Former Vice-Chancellor of Mangalore University, expert botanist of the Western Ghats.

— Late D. K. Chowta, art collector, writer, Chairman of the Tapovana Trust for afforestation (Kerala), former General Secretary of the Chitrakala Parishath Art College, Bangalore.

From left to right: Dr. Kaveriappa, Late M.P. Prakash, Late D. K. Chowta, Prajna Chowta, S. Parameswarappa, in 2001.

— On the 18th of August 2019, a resolution was passed to induct and appoint Philippe Gautier as the Treasurer of the Aane Mane Foundation. Philippe Gautier is a French film director married to Prajna Chowta since 1993. Born on 14 February 1960, Philippe Gautier has contributed significantly to the development of the Aane Mane Foundation since its creation. He has also directed 7 films on the Asian elephant.

— On the 26th of August 2019, a resolution was passed to induct Shashidhar Adapa as a Trustee of the Aane Mane Foundation. Shashidhar Adapa (born 1 September 1955) is an Indian production designer, set designer known predominantly for his work in Kannada theater and cinema. He has worked in over 45 Kannada films in addition to Tamil, Hindi and French films. He is a four-time recipient of Karnataka State Film Award for Best Art Direction and in 2004, was awarded the Chaman Lal Memorial Award for his "outstanding contribution to stagecraft".

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