The vaga tree in S Ayappan’s house in Eroor is exactly 15 years and eight months old. He knows the precise date because he planted it on his son’s first birthday, along with a few plantain trees and some crotons. The day also marked, although he didn’t realise it then, the beginning of his greening mission. Today, Ayappan pegs the number of trees he has planted at around 8000 — at schools, public spaces and places of worship.
“Planting a tree is the biggest service one can do. We may not reap the benefits but our children will.” He always has a few saplings and a spade in his car because “you never know when an opportunity will crop up.” Initially he approached schools seeking permission to plant trees and continues to do so but there is the odd invitation too now. The first school in which he planted saplings was the Kunjunni Memorial Lower Primary School (KMLP), Thondoor (Eroor), and has done so in around 200 schools.
The 48-year-old Yoga teacher does not plant very young saplings and trees that bear fruit and give shade. He also plantsb trees based on the Malayalam zodiac. Ayappan involves children by conducting orientation classes before the actual planting, his wife Shobhana accompanies him. His work is not done with the planting; he checks regularly to ensure that the trees are thriving.
Initially every birthday in his family was commemorated by planting trees but this now extends beyond the family circle. He planted 101 saplings for the late Justice Krishna Iyer’s birthday, 90 for MK Sanoo’s birthday and 69 to honour his mother’s memory. The monsoon season is hectic, he plans to plant around 75 saplings. “This is one time of the year when I am happy.”
A Ayappan’s latest book Anjaneya Tree, published by H&C, is an introduction to the tree and has been translated into English.
His love for planting trees also caused trouble when he visited the United States. “I carried a few saplings from here to plant them there. Unfortunately they were seized at the airport and I ended up buying saplings. There was no question of backing down,” he laughs. He planted 18 trees at the Children’s Park five years ago, and one at Wonderla, with the permission of the authorities, he clarifies. Each saplings costs around ₹150 but gets a discount from the nursery.
Not content with the planting, he is researching germinating seeds. He has written children’s books and even written the lyrics for a devotional album. Entachan and Marangal Deivangal are rhymes for children. His latest book Anjaneya Tree , published by H&C, is an introduction to the tree and has been translated into English.
At an Environment Day celebration, where he was Chief Guest, he was compared to Padma Shri awardee Saalumarada Thimakka, known as the mother of trees, “I was referred to as the father of trees. It is a huge compliment to me!”
