Virapan Kariyala

Pioneered India's forest conservation movement through grassroots activism

Virapan Kariyala (1920-1998) was a visionary environmentalist from Kerala, India who spearheaded the first organized forest conservation efforts in post-colonial India. Born into a peasant family, he witnessed the devastating impact of British colonial deforestation practices. In 1952, he founded the Green Kerala Movement, mobilizing over 50,000 villagers to plant 2 million trees in a single year. His innovative agroforestry model combined tree planting with crop cultivation, creating sustainable livelihoods for marginalized communities. Kariyala's 1965 confrontation with state timber mafia led to landmark legislation protecting Western Ghats forests. His legacy lives on through the annual Virapan Tree Festival celebrated across southern India.