In the heart of Kerala's Alappuzha district, amidst the famed backwaters and paddy fields, lies a unique green miracle. This is Tapovanam, a thriving five-acre forest that was single-handedly planted and nurtured by Devaki Amma, who is now 92 years old. What was once an empty, barren plot has been transformed over four decades into a biodiverse sanctuary, demonstrating the profound impact of one individual's dedication to nature.
From Personal Tragedy to a Green Purpose
Devaki Amma's journey with Tapovanam began from a place of deep personal suffering. Forty-four years ago, a severe accident left her physically and emotionally shattered. She had to relearn to walk with a stick. The incident brought her family's paddy farming and agricultural livelihood to a halt, plunging her into years of frustration and helplessness.
Instead of surrendering to despair, she chose to fight back in her own way. Surveying the abandoned sandy land around her ancestral home (Kollaykkal tharavadu), she decided to start a tree plantation, an activity within her new physical limits. This simple idea became the foundation of Tapovanam.
The Birth and Growth of a Handmade Forest
Devaki Amma began by planting her first sapling on the deserted ground. Uncertain of how many trees to plant or how long it would take, she soon found her new purpose: watching life grow. Planting became her daily ritual, often putting one sapling in the earth each day.
Slowly, the open sandy terrain of the eastern and western yards began to change. Over the years, a thick green forest emerged. She tended to each plant like a mother, dedicating the next four decades to this routine. Today, Tapovanam stands as a lush, cool oasis in a region not known for natural forests.
Tapovanam: A Self-Sustaining Ecosystem and Free Pharmacy
The forest is now a vibrant ecosystem. It hosts a variety of trees like the kamandalu (calabash), peacock plant, many fig species, Indian blackberry (kureepazham), jackfruit, mango, and the Buddha tree (Ficus religiosa). A pond at its heart teems with catfish and snakehead murrel, attracting birds and even eagles.
More than just a forest, Tapovanam serves as a free medicinal plant garden for the local community. People of all ages visit daily to identify and collect plants for their health needs. Devaki Amma firmly believes nature's gifts should be shared freely, not commercialized. Her greatest satisfaction comes from knowing people heal using plants from her forest.
A Living Classroom and a Message for Our Times
Tapovanam has evolved into an open-air classroom. School children, college students, and researchers walk its narrow trails to learn about plant species, birds, insects, and the forest ecosystem. Devaki Amma's instruction to every visitor is simple: plant at least one tree and help it survive.
Her life embodies three powerful principles: healing nature can heal personal pain; small, daily actions like planting a sapling can create monumental change over time; and nature's value is beyond money—it is a shared resource for healing and oxygen.
At 92, Devaki Amma, a woman with no scientific title or great wealth, stands as a true nature warrior. Her story is a potent symbol of hope, proving that individual initiative can reclaim green spaces and that commitment can indeed transform the planet.
