The Green Award-2011 of the Kerala State Biodiversity Board for individuals goes to N. Shyam Kumar, an autorickshaw driver at Thenkurissi near here.
He is engaged in planting saplings by the roadside at Thenkurissi, Peruvembu, and Koduvayur grama panchayats for the last 15 years. The award, which carries a purse of Rs.50,000, is given for ‘conservation of our precious biodiversity, sustainable utilization and equitable sharing of its resources for the betterment of mankind and life at large.'
The award will be presented by Chief Minister Oommen Chandy next month.