The Forest Man of Pulimath: Shaju’s Lifelong Journey of Green Dreams

Pointing at the Showy Desmodium, a flower that blooms only in the first few minutes after sunrise, Shaju says with quiet pride, “This blooms only in the first few minutes after sunrise.”

Showy Desmodium

For Shaju, a retired engineer from ISRO, each plant on his land represents more than greenery. It represents memory, meaning, and a mission. His journey did not begin after retirement, it began in childhood, when he started collecting rare herbs and trees with the quiet dream of building a forest of his own. What he nurtures today is not just a hobby but a deeply rooted mindset, a lifelong commitment to reconnecting with nature and preserving it for future generations.

That dream, carried in his heart for more than 45 years, took root on a one and a half acre plot in Pulimath Panchayath, about 35 kilometers from Thiruvananthapuram. With his pension savings, he bought the land, constructed a Laurie Baker -style home, and began creating a forest behind it. The house now rests peacefully under the shade of a vibrant Gulmohar tree, Delonix regia, blending aesthetics and comfort in the heart of nature.

In the beginning, many scoffed at his efforts. Some called it idealistic, others unnecessary. But Shaju remained steady in his resolve, fuelled by the quiet belief that his vision would one day bear fruit. That day arrived when he was honoured with the Vanamithra Award by the Government of Kerala. The award, instituted by the Kerala Forest Department, recognises individuals, institutions, organisations, and farmers for exceptional work in biodiversity conservation.

Roots of a Passion

Shaju’s love for plants began in his childhood. A native of Maruthoorkadav, he was fascinated by greenery for as long as he could remember. Even while living in the limited space of a city house, he filled his terrace with life. His Peepal tree stood tall in a small basin. Alongside it grew jackfruit, mango, and even coconut trees, each nurtured in planters, none of them trimmed or sculpted. “I never shaped them into bonsai,” Shaju says. “Plants deserve to grow in full expression, no matter how small the pot.”

Shaju with a plant from his terrace garden during his Thiruvananthapuram days

One moment in particular changed his course. His five year old daughter, Mamatha, once asked him, “Which tree gives rice?” Shaju was too stunned to respond. Her mother came from a farming family whose livelihood depended on paddy cultivation, yet the child had no idea where rice came from. That question revealed a troubling disconnect with the natural world.

In response, Shaju turned his own terrace into a demonstration farm. He began seeding, irrigating, and fertilising small patches of land, showing his daughter, and others, how food grows, from soil to harvest. That humble act sowed the seeds of something far larger.

After retirement, he moved away from city life and built his dream home in Pulimath. He cleared the rubber trees on the land and began planting all kinds of native species, with a special focus on herbs and trees known for their medicinal value. Fruit trees took up a significant portion of the land. “Children love to visit,” he says. “There are always fruits to pluck and eat.”

Shaju's backyard forest in Pulimath, a living testament to his lifelong passion for rare trees and biodiversity

Shaju’s first recognition came nearly 20 years ago, when Deshabhimani featured his terrace garden. At that time, he was experimenting with large trees in small basins. His most successful trial was a fully blooming Cassia fistula, the golden shower tree, grown in a pot. The spectacle drew attention from researchers and professors across Kerala.

That was just the beginning. Encouraged by the recognition, he began traveling deeper into Kerala’s forests. During his time at ISRO, he would often explore remote regions in search of rare plants. He climbed Agasthyarkoodam more than 30 times, collecting wild species and studying their natural habitats. Even species once considered unsuitable for Kerala’s climate eventually flourished under his care.

He developed his own pest management techniques and implemented an automated watering system for times when he was away. His commitment took him as far as the Himalayas, five trips in total, all undertaken to bring back plants and knowledge. The natives of Pulimath welcomed him with open arms and fondly began calling him "Nalpamaram Shaji," combining his house name with the affectionate nickname they gave him, a tribute to his deep bond with trees and the land.

A Living Library of Biodiversity

After retiring, Shaju decided to transfer his entire terrace garden to his land in Pulimath. The trees that once grew within the limits of basins were now free to spread their roots and branches. His forest began to flourish.

Today, Shaju’s garden is a living library of biodiversity. It contains three varieties of the Burflower tree, listed as endangered on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants. He cultivates Devil’s Dung, Asafoetida, and Rasna, Pluchea lanceolata. There are forty varieties of jackfruit and thirty kinds of holy basil. Trees like Holigarna arnottiana, Samadera indica, Memecylon umbellatum, and even a hundred year old curry leaves have found sanctuary in his garden.

Instead of opting for commercial crops like teak, Shaju chose to dedicate his land to conservation. “It’s not about income,” he says. “It’s about legacy. About saving what we are losing.”

Officials from the Forest Department confirmed that Shaju was selected for the Vanamithra Award for having prepared a garden with such an extraordinary range of species in such a compact space. For Shaju, one of the most memorable moments came when he was invited to the Pangode military camp to plant a Rudraksha sapling. He also fondly remembers a visit by the then Governor of Kerala, RS Gavai, and his wife Kamaltai Gavai, who toured his garden in his terrace.

Sowing for Tomorrow

Shaju’s influence goes far beyond the boundaries of his land. He once led a farmer’s collective in Pulimath Panchayath to reclaim two acres of fallow land in Thengumkonam for paddy cultivation. That land now supports multiple farming activities and has even become a favourite stop for migratory birds.

Alongside his planting, Shaju finds time to teach. He regularly takes classes in schools and colleges, introducing students to the world of trees, soil, and sustainability. Sharing his knowledge, he believes, is as important as planting a seed.

Dancing Flower

At home, he is supported by his wife, Jalajakumari, who works at the The Accountant General's office, Trivandrum. Their daughter, Mamatha, is now pursuing an LLB degree. Together, they form a quiet but deeply committed family grounded in values of care, growth, and coexistence.