Kollakkayil Devaki Amma G, a 92-year-old environmentalist from Kerala, is one of the unsung heroes whose quiet dedication has transformed lives and landscapes. She is among Bharat’s prestigious Padma Awards recipients this year. Devaki Amma’s extraordinary life’s work in afforestation has earned her the Padma Shri. Her story is not one of institutional power or large-scale funding, but of patience, resilience, and a deep, almost spiritual bond with nature.

Kollakkayil Devaki Amma G

Devaki Amma, who was born and raised in Alappuzha district’s Muthukulam village, lived a simple rural life. Like many women of her generation, she had little formal education and spent her early years engaged in agriculture. However, a turning point came in her life after a serious leg injury forced her to step away from physically demanding paddy cultivation. What might have been a setback became the beginning of an ecological legacy.

Unable to work in the fields, Devaki Amma turned her attention to the land around her home. What began as a modest effort to plant a few trees gradually evolved into something extraordinary. Over decades, with minimal resources and largely on her own, she transformed barren, sandy terrain into a thriving forest ecosystem. Today, her land, often referred to as Tapovanam, is home to more than 3,000 trees and plant species, including rare, indigenous, and medicinal varieties.

Spread across roughly 4.5 to 5 acres, this man-made forest is not just a collection of trees but is a living, breathing ecosystem. It supports diverse flora and fauna, attracts numerous bird species, and serves as a microhabitat that demonstrates the power of grassroots ecological restoration.

Forest Mother who has transformed landscapes

Devaki Amma’s work is particularly significant in the context of modern environmental challenges. Long before climate change became a global concern, she was already practicing sustainable land restoration. She relied on traditional knowledge, natural composting, and rainwater harvesting to nurture her forest. Without scientific training or institutional backing, she intuitively understood ecological balance—planting native species, maintaining soil health, and allowing biodiversity to flourish.

Her contribution extends beyond afforestation. Devaki Amma represents a model of community-led environmental stewardship. In an era where conservation is often associated with large projects and policy frameworks, her work reminds us that individual action can create lasting impact. Her forest stands as a testament to what one person can achieve through perseverance and love for nature.

Over the years, her efforts have not gone entirely unnoticed. She has received several recognitions, including the Nari Shakti Puraskar and other environmental awards at the state and national levels. However, the Padma Shri marks the highest recognition of her lifelong commitment. The 2026 Padma Awards, which emphasized honouring unsung heroes, rightly acknowledged her decades of silent service to the environment.

At 92, Devaki Amma symbolizes not just environmental activism, but also endurance and purpose. Her journey challenges conventional ideas of age and capability. Even in her later years, she continues to care for the forest she created, embodying a lifelong dedication that few can match.

Her story also carries important lessons for the future. In a time when deforestation, climate change, and biodiversity loss are pressing global issues, Devaki Amma’s work offers a blueprint rooted in simplicity and sustainability. She shows that restoring nature does not always require advanced technology but it requires only commitment, patience, and respect for the natural world.

Furthermore, her recognition highlights a broader shift in how Bharat values environmental contributions. By honouring grassroots activists like Devaki Amma, the Padma Awards reinforce the importance of local knowledge and community-driven conservation efforts. It sends a powerful message that meaningful change often begins at the smallest level.

Kollakkayil Devaki Amma G’s life is a remarkable narrative of transformation of land, of purpose, and of impact. From a rural homemaker to a nationally recognized environmentalist, she has redefined what it means to serve society. Her forest is more than a green space; it is a legacy that will continue to inspire generations.

In honouring her, Bharat not only celebrates an individual but also reaffirms its commitment to environmental stewardship. Devaki Amma’s journey reminds us that even in the face of adversity, one person’s determination can grow into something as vast and life-giving as a forest.

(Featured Image Source: The New Indian Express)