Devaki Amma is offered sweets by her family as they celebrate the joyous moment of being awarded the Padma Shri. | Photo Credit: Suresh Alleppey
Now 92, Devaki, a native of Alappuzha, has been awarded the Padma Shri for her efforts to reforest Alappuzha, which protects about 3,000 rare plants. A forest known as ‘kollakkal tapovanam’ spreads across a field of acres around the house of the non-agenariate.
Devaki Amma was recognized in the Unsung Heroes category. She is also the recipient of several awards including Nari Shakti Puraskar Award from the Union Government, Indira Priyadarshini Vrikshamitra Award and Vanamithra Award.
It all started in the 1980s, when she had to give up farming after injuring her leg in an accident. So she started planting saplings with the encouragement of her late husband and retired school principal MK Gopalakrishna Pillai. It started with planting a single tree in the backyard. Soon greenery began to spread around the house.
The green space, which was created over a span of more than four decades, contains several trees, including medicinal plants and native trees. It is home to birds such as peacock, owl, black-winged stilt and monkey among others. About 200 species of plants dot the forest with several ponds that provide an abundance of fruits, vegetables and flowers. Although her health no longer allows her to plant new trees, Devaki Amma spends most of her time with the trees.
Published – 25 Jan 2026 20:30 IST
