Padma Shri for Devaki Amma

Devaki Amma, 92, a native of Alappuzha, has been awarded the Padma Shri award for her efforts to reforest Alappuzha, protecting around 3,000 rare plants. The forest known as ‘Kollakkal Tapovanam,’ spreads across five acres around the nonagenarian’s house.

Devaki Amma has been recognised in the Unsung Heroes category. She is also the recipient of several awards including the Union government’s Nari Shakti Puraskar, Indira Priyadarshini Vrikshamitra Award, and Vanamithra Award.

It all started in the 1980s, when she had to give up farming following a leg injury she sustained in an accident. So she started planting seedlings following her late husband and retired headteacher M.K. Gopalakrishna Pillai’s encouragement. It started with the planting of a single sapling in the backyard. Soon, greenery started spreading around the house.

The green space, which has been created in a time span of over four decades, features several trees, including medicinal plants and native trees. It is home to birds such as peacock, owl, black-winged stilt and monkeys, among others. About 200 species of plants dot the forest which features several ponds, providing an abundance of fruits, vegetables, and flowers. Although her health does not allow her to plant new trees any more, Devaki Amma spends most of her time with the trees.