A. Achuthan

A. Achuthan was an Indian environmental activist and science writer from Kerala. He was involved in many environmental protests in the state. His book Paristhithi Padanathinu Oramukham [An introduction to environmental studies] won the Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award for Scholarly Literature in 2014.

Biography A. Achuthan was born on 1 April 1933 to Ikanda Variyar, a sub-registrar, and Madhavi Variyar, a civil servant, in Avittathur near Irinjalakuda in present-day Thrissur district of Kerala. After completing graduation in civil engineering from the University of Kerala, he obtained a master's degree in civil engineering from the University of Wisconsin and a doctorate from IIT Madras. As a civil engineer, he specialised in hydraulics.

Personal life and death Achuthan and his wife Sulochana had 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. 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. 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. At the time of Silent Valley issue, he was a member of the Task Forces on Energy under the Kerala State Planning Board. 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. Achuthan was also at the forefront of the formation of the Kerala Environmental Conservation Committee in 1974 to deal exclusively with environmental issues.

Contributions Achuthan published 20 books, twelve scientific papers in various international scientific publications, and more than a hundred scientific articles.

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. 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.