The Story Behind Kolakayakil Devaki Amma
DEVAKI AMMA IS 90 YEARS OLD NOW BUT HER DEEP AFFECTION FOR THE FLORA AND FAUNA REMAINS INTACT. HER AGE NO LONGER PERMITS HER TO PLANT NEW TREES OR TAKE CARE OF THE FOREST BUT SHE MAKES IT A POINT TO TAKE A STROLL TO REMAIN CONNECTED TO HER TREES.
A long time ago, when the world started taking to the streets and raising its voice against environmental degradation, Kolakayakil Devaki Amma was taking the initiative to create a sustainable environment in her backyard. It was his love for the environment and his desire to mitigate the effects of climate change that allowed him to build a forest on five acres around his home.
IT WAS HER LOVE FOR THE ENVIRONMENT AND HER DESIRE TO MITIGATE THE EFFECTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE THAT ALLOWED HER TO CREATE A FOREST OVER THE FOUR ACRE STRETCH AROUND HER HOME.
Alleppey the Venice of the East and here in a district in Kerala with virtually no forest cover. Against this background, as an oasis stands Devaki amma, who is now 90 years old. Shining through with her commitment to the cause of conserving the environment. Through afforestation and promoting diversity. And I made that whiny baby for everybody so that one day they understand my credibility.
To just sums up the philosophy of Devaki amma, her spirit and lifelong dedication that even led her to sacrifice her 4 acres of land for conservation and maintenance of biodiversity. She collected, propagated, planted and distributed freely different and rare tree species having medicinal and aesthetic value. She utilizes house waste and other organic materials as manure for the garden.
Besides, she also maintains the pounds in the area. Local women and illiterates have also been made aware and trained by her.Inspired by her, others continue from where she had started.
Kollakkayil Devaki Amma has been planting and nurturing trees at Muthukulam in the Karthikapally Taluk of Alappuzha District, Kerala for over 4 decades. A teacher by profession, Gopalakrishna taught the importance of forests and brought different seeds from his travels for his wife Devaki Amma to plant.
Even after the demise of her husband, Devaki Amma continued her little project with the help of her family and friends. Today, her 40 years of dedication have paid off. The deep, lush green forest is said to have at least 200 species of trees and numerous unknown shrubs. It is frequented by nature enthusiasts and botanists who are fascinated by the richness of this ‘woman-made’ forest.
Taking care of a 4-acre forest is no joke. Unable to sustain the forest on her own because of her age, Devaki Amma has resorted to hiring people. She lives in a spacious house surrounded by private ponds, a wetland, and farm animals like cows, buffalos, and oxen.
Devaki Amma’s love and enthusiasm for protecting the environment by creating this forest have been passed down her generation. Her grandchildren and their children would often come by to check on the older trees and plant new ones.
her daughter Prof D Thankamani said:
“Four generations have contributed to my mother’s journey of planting trees. During school vacations, Amma’s grandchildren and their children visit the house to see the status of old plants and to plant new ones. The enthusiasm and fervor around planting trees are almost like a festival.”
In 2002, she was first recognised for her efforts by the Ministry of Environment and Forest with the Indira Gandhi Vrikshamithra award. Most recently, she received the Nari Shakti Puruskar from India’s president Ram Nath Kovind.
