One man, 20,000 trees: Thenkurissi driver’s gift to Kerala’s environment

Palakkad: On World Environment Day, M. Shyamkumar of Thenkurissi in Palakkad district is being recognised as one of the region’s best-known environmental volunteers.

An autorickshaw driver by profession, Shyamkumar has planted and nurtured around 23,000 trees at various public places in Palakkad over the last 20 years. He began the effort about two decades ago after reading the book Vrukshayurvedam.

Known locally as the ‘forest minister’, he carries at least 10 litres of water in his autorickshaw and uses plastic bottles with tiny holes as drip irrigation to keep saplings alive. His autorickshaw also displays messages on afforestation.

Shyamkumar’s work extends beyond planting. He is interested in birds, and the premises of his house are described as a “mini bird sanctuary”.

His efforts have earned him more than 10 awards, including the Haritha Vyakthi Award from the Kerala State Bio-Diversity Board and the 23rd PV Thampy Memorial Endowment Award for Environment Protection.

Each passenger who boards his auto is requested not to object to carrying tree saplings, and he often gifts saplings to travellers.