PALAKKAD: When Syam Kumar M, an auto driver from Karippankulangara in Thenkurissy, was chosen for the Haritha Vyakthi Award instituted by the Kerala State Bio-diversity Board for 2010-11, it did not come as a surprise for his friends or acquaintances.During the past 15 years, they all might have seen him religiously planting saplings along the wayside, mostly in the three panchayats of Thenkurissy, Koduvayur and Peruvembu."I developed an interest in nature after I had a six-month stint as a watcher with the Forest Department. At that time, I had planted saplings in Kozhinjampara, Menonpara and Eruthenpathy areas. Now I carry saplings in my autorikshaw and if there are open spaces, I would plant them there,” said Syam Kumar, who will share this year’s award with P S Shyam of Alappuzha.The award, carrying a cash prize of Rs 1 lakh, will be presented by Chief Minister Oommen Chandy this month. “In the last 15 years, I have planted thousands of saplings. Mainly I carry with me saplings of ‘ungu’ (pongamia pinnata), vepu (neem), Mayflower, ‘njaval,’ badaam, manimarudhu, poovarasu, palm and candle flower,” said Syam.“He deserved to win the award. would arrange saplings for the Forest Department also. We are planning to give him a reception,” said Range Officer Sadanandan.Syam, whose auto sports an awareness slogan ‘Maram Oru Varam’, narrated an interesting tale that inspired him a lot. “After reading a write-up on me in a daily, retired High Court Judge Justice K Sukumaran wrote me a detailed letter. Later, once I went with some tree guards to fix it near the High Court junction, I also carried a few saplings to plant there. Now, whenever Justice Sukumaran talks to me over phone, he would update me on the growth of the plant,” said a beaming Syam.When the Forest Department was looking for ‘Ungu’ saplings to be planted on the Palakkad-Ottapalam Highway, it was Syam who provided them the saplings. He had also provided bamboo saplings to Kannadi grama panchayat, that were to be planted on the banks of the Yakkara river.Syam was also instrumental in removing large boards and banners from wayside trees which were put up by ad agencies.The campaign, that grabbed the attention of environmentalists like Sugathakumari and the district administration, along with the Forest Department, was successful in removing most of the advertisement boards last year. “Syam Kumar is a one-man army. Apart from planting the saplings, he also finds time to water them,” said Assistant Conservator of Forests N Rajesh.
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