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A. Achuthan
Indian environmental activist (1933–2022) From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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A. Achuthan was an Indian environmental activist and science writer from Kerala. He was involved in many environmental protests in the state. His book titled Paristhithi Padanathinu Oramukham [An introduction to environmental studies], won the Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award for Scholarly Literature in 2014.
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Biography
A. Achuthan was born on April 1, 1933, to Ikanda Variyar, a sub-registrar, and Madhavi Variyar, a civil servant, in Avittathur near Irinjalakuda in present-day Thrissur district of Kerala.[1] After completing graduation in civil engineering from the University of Kerala, he studied master's degree in civil engineering from the University of Wisconsin and a doctorate from IIT Madras.[2] As a civil engineer, he is specialised in hydraulics.[3]
Personal life and death
Achuthan and his wife Sulochana have two children, Aruna, a VLSI design engineer in Canada, and Anupama A. Manjula, an associate professor in the Department of Pathology at Manjeri Government Medical College,.[1] He died on October 10, 2022, at Kozhikode.[4] As per his wishes, his body was handed over to the Kozhikode Government Medical College for academic purposes, without being placed for public viewing or paying homage.[4]
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Career
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Perspective
Achuthan started his career as a demonstrator at the Government Engineering College, Thiruvananthapuram in 1954.[3] Later he worked at the Public and Engineering Division of the Public Works Department, Government of Kerala.[1] While working in PWD, he has done research on 'Total Sanitation' at the Indian Council for Medical Research.[3] He left PWD for teaching career and worked as a teacher at Thrissur and Thiruvananthapuram engineering colleges and Kozhikode Regional Engineering College.[1] He has also served as Dean and Director of Academic Staff College at the University of Calicut.[1]
In the same year he arrived in Kozhikode as a teacher in 1962, the Kerala Sasthra Sahithya Parishad was formed in Kozhikode.[5] Although he did not attend any of the first meetings of Parishad, he was active in literature and cultural scene of Kozhikode in the 1960s. In a poetry circle, he met another Irinjalakuda resident, N. V. Krishna Warrier. Upon Warrier's request Achuthan became a member of the Parishad in 1965.[5] In 1966, he became the general secretary of the Parishad and in 1969, he became its state president.[5] It was during his time that the Parishad was registered as a society. It was first registered with the home address of Achuthan.[5]
For the Parishad, he focused on new methods of waste disposal, proper mosquito control, the design of a smoke-free stove (now called the parishad stove), ways to save electricity, drinking water conservation measures, and low-cost building construction using local resources.[5] He prepared many books and pamphlets to promote these. The most important of these is Ningalkkoru Veedu [A Home for You], which was prepared in collaboration with Vincent Paul, a colleague at REC.[5]
Achuthan was a member of the expert committees of the Central Department of Science and Technology, UGC, Kerala State Planning Board, and the Board of Studies, Faculty, and Academic Council of various universities.[1] He also served as the editor of the science periodicals Sastra Gati and Ore Oru Bhoomi.[1]
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Activism
Achuthan was a person who actively intervened in environmental issues in Kerala. He was a member of the People's Inquiry Commission related to the Plachimada protest and the Inquiry Commission related to the Endosulfan disaster, and was also active in the Save Silent Valley protest.[6] At the time of Silent Valley issue, he was a member of the Task Forces on Energy under the Kerala State Planning Board.[3] The first official report detailing the plight of endosulfan victims in Kerala was prepared under the leadership of Achuthan.[7] He was also involved in other environmental protests in the state including issues related to Jeerakapara, Madayipara, Mavoor Gwalior Rayons and Njeliyanparamba waste treatment plant.[3] Achuthan was also at the forefront of the formation of the Kerala Environmental Conservation Committee in 1974 to deal exclusively with environmental issues.[1]
Contributions
Achuthan has published 20 books, twelve scientific papers in various international scientific publications, and more than a hundred scientific articles.[7]
Awards and honors
His book titled Paristhithi Padanathinu Oramukham (meaning: An introduction to environmental studies) won the 2014 Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award for Scholarly Literature.[1] He had also received many awards including the Silent Valley National Park Jubilee Award and the Kerala State Science, Technology and Environment Council Award, for his environmental activism.[7]
References
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