Geetha Vazhachal

Geetha Vazhachal is the first woman to become a chieftain of the Kadar tribal community in Vazhachal, Kerala, India. She is an Anganwadi teacher, social activist, and moopathi (chieftain) of the Kadar community who had been working for the upliftment of the Kadars in the Western Ghats region. She played a prominent role in resisting displacement and land rights violations by state development projects such as the Athirappilly Hydroelectric Power Project.

Early life and background Born in Vazhachal, by the Chalakudy River in the Thrissur district, Geetha comes from the Kadar community. Her father's family originally hailed from Parambikulam and her mother from Vazhachal. She was on vacation at home when she heard about the imminent Athirappilly Hydroelectric Power Project and decided to do something about it. Having spend time with environmentalists like Madhav Gadgil and elders in the Kadar community made her determined to speak up for her people legally.

Social work Geetha began her career as a teacher in the local Anganwadi at the age of 17. She was a member of the Vana Samrakshana Samiti, a community forest management programme functioning under the Forest Development Agency. She promoted education and founded a library for the local children. The project threatened to displace numerous Kadar families and submerge over a hundred hectares of pristine forest. She worked to raise awareness, mobilise the community, and engage with legal and governmental channels.