Environmentalist and Padma Shri awardee ‘Saalumarada’ Thimmakka has passed away at the age of 114. Thimmakka breathed her last on November 14 at a private hospital in Bengaluru.
She, with her late husband, is noted for planting and tending banyan trees along a national highway for which she was honoured with several awards.
Thimmakka hailed from Gubbi taluk in Tumakuru district in Karnataka. After marrying Bikkala Chikkayya, she moved to Hulikal village in Magadi taluk. The couple, who did not have children, planted 385 banyan trees on State Highway 94 from Kudur to Hulikal.
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah posted on X: “I am deeply saddened to hear the news of the demise of Salumarada Thimmakka. Thimmakka, who planted thousands of trees and nurtured them like her own children, dedicated most of her life to environmental conservation. Even though Thimmakka has left us today, her love for the environment has made her immortal. My tributes to the departed soul. The State has become poorer with the demise of Saalumarada Thimmakka. I pray that her departed soul attains eternal peace. My condolences to the family.”
Environment Minister Eshwar Khandre expressed his condolences on the demise of Thimmakka.
“Thimmakka, who was known as Vriksha Mata, spread the importance of greenery to the world by raising trees as her children. Despite being illiterate, she had done great work in environmental conservation, and was awarded an honorary doctorate and had received the highest awards, including the Padma Shri,” Mr. Khandre said in his condolence message.
Thimmakka was awarded the Padma Shri in 2019 for social work-environment.
In September, she had been admitted to a private hospital two days ago after she complained of weakness and loss of appetite. Following her recovery, she was discharged.