Alappuzha, Jan. 25 -- Renowned environmentalist Devaki Amma of Kerala has been awarded the prestigious Padma Shri in recognition of her lifelong contribution to environmental conservation and biodiversity protection.
Now in her nineties, Devaki Amma earned national acclaim for transforming a barren five-acre plot of land at her ancestral home in Alappuzha district into a lush, self-sustaining forest known as Tapovanam. What was once sandy, unproductive land near the backwaters has, over the decades, evolved into a thriving green ecosystem rich in trees, medicinal plants, birds, insects and aquatic life.
Her conservation journey began more than 40 years ago, driven purely by commitment and perseverance. Despite facing severe physical chall...