Kerala's Mangrove crusader Kallen Pokkudan passes away

Kannur, Sep 28: The noted environmentalist and mangrove crusader from Kerala, Kallen Pokkudan passed away on Sunday, Sep 27.

He was undergoing treatment for age related illness in a private hospital in Kannur, Kerala.

Pokkudan dedicated his entire life for the cultivation and protection of Mangrove forests across the state.

In a span of three decades, Pokkudan also known by the name Kandal (Mangrove) has planted around 1 lakh mangroves across Kerala. Mangroves offer a lifeline to areas under the threat of natural disasters like Tsunami.

Pokkudan had minimal education which extended only up to 2nd standard. He founded the Mangrove School and conducted over 500 classes in various parts of the state in an attempt to educate the masses about the ecological importance of mangroves.

Pokkudan's last work, Kandal Inangal (Mangrove Species) is a work elaborating various species of mangroves found in Kerala.

Pokkudan's work to extend the mangrove cover has earned him a UNESCO special mention.

He has also bagged many prestigious awards including the State Forest Department's first Vanamithra award, Harithavyakthi, P V Thampi environmentalist and Bhoomi mithra. He was conferred Acharya award by Kannur University.

Pokkudan has also acted in the state award winner ‘Papilio Budha' directed by Jayan K Cherian.

Sthalam, a 2012 film by Siva Prasad, has been made on the life of Pokkudan.

Pokkudan has written a few books including Kandalkkadukalil ente jeevitham (My life in the mangrove forests), ‘Ente Rashtreeya Jeevitham' (My Political Life), and ‘Kandal Inangal' (Mangrove Varieties).

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