Renowned environmentalist Saalumarada Thimmakka, often hailed as India’s “Mother of Trees,” passed away in Bengaluru on Friday at the age of 114. According to family members, the Padma Shri awardee had been suffering from age-related ailments and was receiving treatment at a private hospital, where she breathed her last.
Born on June 30, 1911, in Gubbi taluk of Tumakuru district, Karnataka, Thimmakka rose from humble beginnings to become a national symbol of grassroots environmentalism. Without any formal education and unable to have children, she began planting and caring for saplings alongside her husband, treating them as her own offspring. Over time, her personal act of love for nature evolved into a lifelong mission that transformed rural landscapes and inspired generations.
Her most famous contribution was the planting of 385 banyan trees along a 4.5-kilometre stretch between Hulikal and Kudur in Ramanagara district, earning her the affectionate title “Saalumarada”, meaning “row of trees.” The green corridor she created continues to stand as a living testament to her vision of harmony between people and the environment.
Throughout her lifetime, Thimmakka received numerous honours for her extraordinary service to nature, including the Padma Shri (2019), Indira Priyadarshini Vrikshamitra Award (1997), National Citizen Award (1995), and the Nadoja Award from Hampi University (2010). Her environmental philosophy was rooted in simplicity and empathy, emphasizing that “planting a tree is like nurturing a life.”
Condolences poured in from across the country following news of her death. Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah expressed deep sorrow, describing Thimmakka as a “true daughter of the soil” who devoted her entire life to protecting and nurturing nature. “Her love for the environment has made her immortal,” he said, adding that her passing leaves the state “poorer” but her legacy eternal.
Environmentalists, social workers, and citizens across India paid tribute to Thimmakka’s work, remembering her as a symbol of selfless service and ecological devotion. Her green legacy — hundreds of banyan trees still standing tall under the Karnataka sun — continues to embody her message of sustainability, compassion, and respect for nature.
