Thrissur: Renowned environmental activist and researcher on rivers, Latha A, 51, passed away at her house in Ollur, Thrissur on Thursday. She was known for her strong views against the proposed dam at Athirappally dam hydel project. She was the director of an NGO called Chalakudy River Research Centre at Ollur and member of the Chalakudy River Protection Council. The centre has a branch in Chalakudy as well. She had worked in several government-appointed committees in Kerala on environment and was a resource person for countless programmes on rivers and forests. She also served as the South Asia Advisor, International Rivers and was the Ashoka Fellow, 2012. She had also conducted research on rivers across India and came up with a slogan ‘no more big dams’.
Leader of Narmada Bachao Andolan Medha Patkar issued condolences over her demise on Thursday. Latha qualified as an agricultural scientist with a doctorate but resigned the government job of an agriculture officer in 2000 for her environmental activism. “A nature camp in Silent valley which she attended in 1989 changed her views on environment and she decided to dedicate her life to the protection of the environment,” said Kusumam Joseph, social activist and coordinator of National Alliance for People's Movement.
After closely reviewing the proposed plans of the hydel project in Athirappally, Latha with her husband S Unnikrishnan found several drawbacks in the way the approval was sought and received from the Ministry of Environment. Her meeting then Environment minister Jayaram Ramesh, played a crucial role in bringing ecological and environmental issues regarding the dam project to the notice of the union government. The Latha-Unnikrishnan couple had decided not to have any children and dedicated their lives for the cause of the environment. Her funeral was held at her house in Ollur on Thursday evening.
