Kamal Ghorui
NEW DELHI: Kollakkayil Devaki Amma G (92) from Kerala is among the ‘unsung heroes’ selected for this year’s Padma awards for their consistent work in the field of environmental conservation.Amma has been honoured for her afforestation work in the state. She transformed Alappuzha’s coastal sandy land into a living sanctuary, and created dense green cover with over 3,000 rare indigenous and medicinal plants.Others who got Padma Shri awards as green warriors include Gambir Singh Yonzone, educationist and social activist from Darjeeling in West Bengal. Founder of Himalaya Science Association, he contributed to establishing Singalila & Neora Valley National Parks.The third on the list is Hally War, a social worker from Meghalaya who revitalised Khasi living root bridges in Cherrapunji. He fortified environmental heritage and mentored many families in root bridge weaving and environmental protection.Mohan Nagar from MP got the Padma Shri for his dedicated environment conservation work. He built 75 Tapti Upvans and 75,000 water structures across 75 hills, and planted tho-usands of native species.
