Naturally available local cheap material Athi tree leaves carbon (ATC) (Ficus recemosa L.) has been selected and activated. The characteristics of activated carbon has been analysed for moisture content (%), ash content (%), bulk density (g/ml), pH, carbon solubility in water and acid (%), decolourizing power (mg/g), ion exchange capacity, phenol number (mg/l) and surface area. The effect of pH, carbon dose, contact period, etc., have been studied using the above carbon as adsorbent and the DY-12 dye as adsorbate in the present study. Langmuir adsorption isotherm and Freundlich isotherm techniques were studied carefully and respective constants were determined. Carbon dose required for maximum percentage of adsorption was found as 80 % per gram of carbon. Kinetic aspects revealed that the adsorption rate was first order. The other parameter like concentration of the dye dependence on the rate was close to unity. Hence adsorption was believed to be first order kinetics. The study results indicate Athi in generally applicable for efficient removal of direct dyes from the effluents.