KOCHI
: Shyam Kumar, a 51-year-old auto driver from Thenkurussi in Palakkad has bagged this year's P V Thampy memorial award, instituted in memory of the late journalist and writer.
The recognition comes for planting and nurturing over 23,000 saplings in the panchayats of Koduvayur, Perumvambu and Thenkurissi where Shyam Kumar rides his auto daily.
He developed the passion more than 20 years ago after reading 'Vriksha Ayurveda' by Surapala. “I usually plant the seeds of Jamun, Neem, Palmyra, Peepal, and other varieties on roadsides, and place a stick close to it and tie a plastic bottle with a small hole to water the saplings. I collect the seeds that fell from the trees I planted on roadsides. I always carry around 25 seeds," said Shyam Kumar.
He is also active in pond rejuvenation works in his area and helps students of the government college in Chittoor with their NSS activities.