Thrissur: Noted environmental activist Baiju K Vasudevan, who raised voice for the protection of Athirappilly forest reserve and its biodiversity, passed away at the age of 46 here on Sunday. Baiju was admitted to the Jubilee Mission Medical College, Thrissur, after he fell from the roof of his house on Saturday.
Baiju came into limelight after he saved the lives of a female hornbill and its hatchling, after the male hornbill was killed by a speeding vehicle on a forest path at Athirappilly. With his incredible skill of imitating the sounds of forest birds, he traced the nest of the male hornbill and saved its starving family.
Baiju had also been a passionate wildlife photographer and actor. He had acted in more than nine movies. He served as a tourist guide during free time.
Onmanorama had published a story on Baiju's life titled 'How a hunter turned a saviour for Athirappilly's wildlife.'
Baiju fostered an NGO named BKV Foundation with a vision to build a generation that loves and protects nature. He was also a guest faculty at the College of Forestry, Kerala Agricultural University.
Baiju is the first of three children of late Vasudevan and Nabeesa. He is survived by his wife Aneesha and three small children.
