KOLLAM: Kollam native Faisal has prepared a forest named 'Thangavanam' in memory of his mother Abida who died of COVID three years ago. He used to lovingly call his mother 'Thangam.' The thought of doing something in memory of his mother brought Faisal, an assistant director of the Local Self-Government Department in Kollam, to the idea of ​​setting up a forest.

According to Faisal, Thangavanam is a fitting memorial for his mother, who loved plants and greenery. For this, he turned two and a half acres of land adjacent to his house a forest. Trees planted by Abida are also there in this forest.

Thangavanam is a favourite haven for migratory birds in summer. All the fruits belong to the birds. Saplings for the forests were collected from nurseries and roadsides. Thangavanam also presented Faisal with this year's Vanamitra Award given by the state government to those who have done excellent forestry work. His wife Haseena and children Meena, Maria and Minna are there with him providing full support. Faisal's father is Abdul Rahman Kunj, the former Joint Secretary of the Kerala Public Service Commission.

Thangavanam has more than 1500 trees like rosewood, laurel, burflower-tree etc and various types of bamboo trees. There is also a pool of 15 cents made to store rainwater.