Madikeri: Environmentalist and green crusader Dr. A.K. Malhotra (79), a resident of Teralu village at Birunani in South Kodagu, passed away yesterday.

Dr. Malhotra and his wife Pamela Malhotra had bought 55-acres of land in the Western Ghats in Kodagu district, with the intention of reforesting the land that had fallen into various states of misuse.  They then opened the only private wildlife sanctuary in India, SAI Sanctuary. They were in the US before relocating to Teralu village, in the Brahmagiri Range, that is about 40 minutes away from Srimangala.

Now, their sanctuary, which is expanded to 300-acre, is home to more than 200 endangered species, ranging from the Asian elephant to the Indian King Cobra.

Last rites were performed today at the sanctuary in Teralu village, according to sources.