Kallur Balan, Kerala's revered environmental activist, passed away on February 11, 2025, at the age of 76, due to heart complications at the Palakkad District Hospital. His passing marks the end of a remarkable life dedicated to reforestation, wildlife conservation, and environmental sustainability.
Balan's influence extended beyond mere planting; his hands-on approach transformed over 100 acres of barren land across Kerala. His lifelong commitment saw him planting approximately 2.5 million trees, nurturing each sapling to maturity, ensuring they thrived within the lush ecosystems he cultivated.
His funeral is scheduled for Tuesday afternoon at his residence, as family members reflected on his significant contributions and the love he held for nature. Balan experienced discomfort early on Monday and was rushed to the hospital but was declared dead shortly after arrival.
Born Balakrishnan, Balan initially followed his father’s footsteps in the toddy tapping business, leading what many would assume was an unremarkable life. Yet, everything changed when he encountered the teachings of Sree Narayana Guru, which inspired him to abandon liquor and redirect his energies toward creating and nurturing green spaces. He took to planting saplings fervently, often seen clad entirely in green attire—a green shirt, green lungi, and his signature green headband—as he went about his daily work. This attire symbolized his unbreakable bond with nature.
With little more than a bamboo staff and immense dedication, Balan began his mission. He planted saplings along roadsides, parks, and across the hills of Palakkad, Thrissur, and Malappuram. The trees he left behind stand as living witnesses to his life’s efforts; birds, monkeys, and other wildlife returned to the areas he revived, grateful for the habitats he created.
His conservation efforts went beyond planting. Balan recognized the interdependencies of the ecosystem and took it upon himself to feed local wildlife. Every morning, he collected discarded fruits from market traders and delivered them to forests, gently calling for monkeys, birds, and wild pigs to come and feed. Balan understood well the connection between humans and nature, seeing the animals not just as beings but as companions on his quest to nourish the Earth.
Notably, his work did not go unnoticed. Balan was awarded Kerala’s “Friend of the Forest” prize, known as the Vanamitra, back in 2011—a recognition of his tireless dedication. Nevertheless, this accolade did not alter his modest lifestyle. He continued to rise with the sun, donning his green attire, and making his daily rounds among the trees and wildlife he had nurtured.
Throughout his life, he sought to create sustainable habitats, including digging wells and small ponds to provide water sources for birds and insects during dry spells. His commitment was steadfast; wherever he saw barren landscapes, he envisioned green hills and thriving wildlife.
His legacy, significantly impacting local ecology, reflects the power of individual action against environmental degradation. Where others may have seen hopelessness and ruin, Balan saw potential and nurtured it with patience. His ability to turn desolation to forest demonstrates how dedicated action—however quiet—can yield remarkable results.
Survived by his wife and three sons, Balan’s family fully supported his lifelong mission. They lived the values he instilled about care for the environment, which resonates as Balan’s enduring message for future generations. His passing signifies not merely the loss of one man but the conclusion of an era of quiet activism based on nurturing the earth.
“Kallur Balan's death marks the end of a remarkable life spent in the service of nature,” stated local environmentalists reflecting on his life. His quiet legacy lives on, infused with nature's resilience enhanced by his own efforts. The trees along roads and greenery of Chutiyanparamalai valley will continue to thrive, echoing his humble yet monumental contributions to the environment. Indeed, all of it remains—a quiet testimony to a life well spent.