Created 'Kollakkal Tapovanam' in forestless Alappuzha; Devaki Amma's journey to Padma Shri

ALAPPUZHA: Devaki Amma, the 92-year-old from the Muthukulam Kollakal family in Alappuzha, is now a recipient of India's fourth-highest civilian award, the Padma Shri. Over the past four decades, Devaki Amma cultivated a dream forest called 'Kollakkal Tapovanam' covering an area of ​​five acres around her house to protect around 3000 rare plant species. She received the award in the Unsung Heroes category, which honours those who perform silent service to society. Even as age has caught up, Devaki Amma continue to relish her daily routine connected to trees.

Devaki Amma was earlier honoured by the Indian Republic with Nari Shakti, Indira Priyadarshini Vrikshamitra, and Vanamitra awards. Former President Ram Nath Kovind had specially mentioned Devaki Amma’s yeoman’s work in his 71st Republic Day message. The phenomenal work in the conservation of the environment is now a study material for students and researchers.

In the 1980s, when she had to give up farming due to an accident that injured her leg, Devaki Amma took a different route by planting a sapling in her backyard. With the support of her husband, Devaki Amma gradually made the area around her house green. There are many trees and shrubs like the Yachaki tree, umbrella tree, Autograph plant, Sandalwood, medicinal plants and native trees in abundance in her Tapovanam.

The forest is home to birds like peacock, owl, emerald dove, Nakamohan, black-winged stilt, and monkeys. There are also 200 species of plants that produce fruits, vegetables and flowers. Only organic fertilisers are used in maintenance.

Devaki Amma’s husband is late Retired Head Master M.K. Gopalakrishna Pillai. Children: Thankamani, Indira Kumari, Usha Kumari, Padmakumar, Nandakumar. Her daughter, Professor Thankamani, former Head of the Environmental Engineering Department at Thiruvananthapuram Engineering College, is now a full-time carer of her mother.

Nandakumar lives with his wife Shobha and their children Saranya and Surya.