Padmavati Dwivedi is not just a name; she is a force of nature. Her presence is as commanding as it is warm – just like Mother Nature. Her divine love for Lord Krishna, the playful god revered in India, defines her essence. This devotion fuels her relentless commitment to environmental protection and community service. She has been recognized for her impactful eco-work, receiving several awards, including one from the Indian government.
I first encountered Padmavati’s inspiring story as I accompanied her on a trip from Delhi to Vrindavan in Uttar Pradesh. Our journey was filled with deep conversations and laughter, with Padmavati sharing her profound dreams and visions. Each time she spoke of Krishna, I felt transported to another realm, where her hopes and aspirations intertwined with her unwavering faith.
She may come across to others as a woman of steely resolve, but I found her humble and approachable, ready to spring into action whenever needed. I witnessed her remarkable spirit firsthand as she seamlessly took charge of gardening at some ashram land in Gopal Garh, near Vrindavan, owned by the business family of Vandana Khaitan, a mutual friend.
In this exclusive interview Padmavati gave to AlotusInTheMud.com, we delve into the remarkable life of this tree warrior whose love for nature and Krishna shapes everything she does.
Lotus: Can you recall an impressionable incident that triggered your calling to do something for nature?
Padmavati Dwivedi: We had just moved to Delhi. From my balcony, I noticed a Gulmohar tree across the street. It was in terrible condition – choked by cement, struggling to survive. Coming from a tropical climate, I was deeply affected by the extreme heat of Delhi, and I began to worry about that tree. I thought, “If I’m feeling so hot, what must the tree be going through, trapped in all that cement?” I felt an emotional connection to it.
When the rains finally came, I expected the Gulmohar to find relief, but the surrounding cement blocked the water, leaving it and the other trees to suffer. Birds like mynahs and parrots would take turns nesting in the tree, and I kept thinking, “Once this tree dies, what will happen to the birds?” My love for nature intensified, and that’s when my journey as an environmental advocate began.
The discomfort I felt for those trees grew stronger. With no friends or connections in Delhi, I turned to a Yellow Pages directory and began calling environmental organizations, determined to free the trees from the cement.
What began as a few phone calls turned into a campaign. After repeatedly making entreaties to the then-Chief Minister Sheila Dixit’s office, the municipal workers removed the cement from one tree before disappearing.
Determined to finish the job, I spent many hours learning the names of the trees I was saving, marking the start of my environmental journey.

Padmavati longs to embrace each ancient tree, pondering the countless stories it whispers, sending goosebumps of wonder down her spine.
Lotus: But you had an inborn sensibility relating to nature on a deeper level.
Padmavati: I’ve always had a deep love for animals, and over time, that connection naturally extended to trees and the environment. Now, I’m incredibly sensitive to the soil and its well-being. It breaks my heart to see soil being suffocated by concrete – because by doing so, we are killing the very life it holds. This sensitivity has grown and expanded from one area of concern to another.
However, I’ve had to learn to shield myself and to create emotional boundaries. Everything started to hurt me – if a tree was suffering, I felt it; if a dog was hurt, I hurt too. I always wanted to step in and do something, but I realized I had to protect myself from being consumed by the pain. Stepping back was necessary for my own mental and physical health. That’s when I turned to meditation – it offered me a softer, more peaceful space to retreat into, especially since activism is so emotionally and physically draining.
There were moments when my activism faced difficulties. People tried to harm us. They damaged our car, tried to evict us from our home, and would often confront me aggressively. For instance, if a pregnant dog were being mistreated, I would step in to stop it, and people would ask, “Who are you to interfere?” Similarly, when I would try to protect trees from being cemented, they’d argue with me, questioning why I cared when they just wanted more space for parking.
I would stand my ground and say, “This is a public space, and I am the public. It belongs to me as much as it does to you.” I had to fight, and that made people fear and dislike me. It created tension, especially since I lived alone with my child while my husband traveled. We lived on rent, and people tried to get the landlord to evict us. It turned into an ego battle for some people, but for me, it was never about winning – it was about the suffering trees and animals that deeply troubled me. I was standing up for the voiceless.
Lotus: Do you have an NGO working for the environment?
Padmavati: At one point, someone suggested I start an NGO, so I founded ‘Compassionate Living’. However, I couldn’t manage it well because of my family responsibilities and the challenges of running an organization without an established background in Delhi.
These days, I’m more focused on a project in Barsana, Radha’s birthplace. It’s deeply fulfilling. I also lead nature walks for the World Wildlife Fund and other project-based initiatives. Working on planting projects, especially in Barsana, has been like a balm for my soul. Activism can be incredibly draining, but when you plant trees and see them grow, it’s an act of healing, giving you positive energy. However, many people treat tree planting as a numbers game. We plant the right way, embracebiodiversity, and choose flora suited to the local climate to ensure stronger, healthier ecosystems that flourish naturally.

Padmavati is growing a forest in Barsana, the birthplace of Lord Krishna’s consort, Radha, for she sees herself as their humble gardener.

Barsana holds a special place in my heart, where all my struggles and learnings have come together beautifully.
I’ve also started ‘Vanamali Walks’, where we discuss Lord Krishna. On a personal level, I cultivate my own organic terrace garden and host annual meets to share environmental insights.
We also supported planting trees in memory of people who have passed away. We have done that, especially in Vrindavan and the Braj area, because of its sacredness and because I wanted to plant trees in Vrindavan.
Lotus: How would you describe your relationship with flora?
Padmavati: When I’m near a big, old tree, I instinctively want to hug it. I often wonder how many stories they have witnessed over time. The thought gives me goosebumps.
I vividly remember a tree from when I lived in Bombay. It was a large tree, full of conical buds. I would watch it every day, eagerly waiting for the flowers to bloom. But to my surprise, those buds slowly transformed into leaves instead of blossoming into flowers. It was a beautiful mystery to me – how those upright buds turned downward and became leaves.
Nature holds so much beauty if you have the eyes to see it. Trees are a testament to this. They are the most generous and tolerant beings, enduring the harshness of all seasons, yet they always give. They offer shade, food, and much more without expecting anything in return.
Lotus: How do you relate to fauna?
Padmavati: My brother and I would play with toy animals as children. We would pretend to be in a forest, riding on elephants, surrounded by all these animals who were our friends, even the tigers. We’d imagine talking to them, asking the tiger, ‘Have you eaten today?’
But as I grew older, I became more practical. I wanted to be like my father, working in a company and becoming independent. However, I soon realized that wasn’t where my true happiness lay. My deep connection with animals shaped who I am today. I love them all, whether it’s a lizard, a rat, or any creature. It’s not that I don’t have fear; my love overpowers it.
This is also why I became a vegetarian. It was a significant shift from a lineage of Kshatriyas who practiced hunting. When I was pregnant with my son, I turned vegan. My core is my love for animals, and I’ve made choices to honor that love.

Padma has started ‘Vanamali Walks’, where she takes groups through dense forests to share stories of Lord Krishna, creating an awe-inspiring experience.
Lotus: Can you tell us about Lord Krishna, your divine love for him, and how you relate to him?
Padmavati: Krishna is a profound anchor in my life. While I haven’t reached the level of spiritual evolution to define my exact relationship with him, one thing is clear – I am meant to be his maali (gardener). I don’t see myself in the intimate roles others often describe, like friend or lover. My role is to plant trees and create forests for his enjoyment. I want Krishna to look upon my work and feel pleased. I imagine him and Radha Rani happy, surrounded by the beauty of nature and the animals, content with what I’ve created for them. That’s my deepest aspiration.
I spend a lot of time listening to kirtan (devotional singing) and Krishna katha – stories about Krishna.
Lotus: What are your aspirations for the future in eco-work?
Padmavati: Even after I leave this world, I wish to serve Krishna and Radha by continuing to create forests for them. I’m certain that is the service I will be given, and it’s all I long for. I dream of offering this to their divine feet – a forest that’s not just for the animals and trees, but for their enjoyment too. I imagine creating a forest where Krishna and Radha can stroll amidst deer, rabbits, and other creatures. My eternal dream is to keep growing forests, both in this life and beyond.
Right now, I’m doing this work because it brings me personal joy, but I aspire to make a spiritual shift. I want to do it not just for pleasure, but as an offering to Krishna and Radha. That change of intention is happening gradually. Eventually, I hope to reach a place where I’m constantly remembering them while doing my work, where the worries of the material world, like fixing water tanks or figuring out logistics, fade away.
According to folklore, people once could see gnomes—earth spirit guides or dwarfs who watch over crops, trees, and livestock. Gnomes live inside the earth and come out occasionally, but with all the disturbances in the world today, their presence has become less visible. Yet, I believe they’re still there, quietly watching over the natural world.
Everything is deeply connected, part of a grand design crafted by a divine creator. I feel like I’m a small piece of this larger plan, like an ant moving along a path I can’t fully see. While I can only perceive what’s right in front of me, God, from above, sees the entire picture – where I am now and where I’m meant to go.
Anyone in and around Delhi NCR interested in joining Padmavati’s Vanamali Walks can contact her through her Facebook page.