Saalumarada Thimmakka, celebrated environmentalist, Padma Shri winner, passes away

Bengaluru: Centenarian environmentalist Saalumarada Thimmakka passed away at a private hospital in Bengaluru on Friday. She was 114.

Thimmakka, who was suffering from age-related illness, is said to have been undergoing treatment for respiratory problems for the last two days. However, according to those close with the family, she did not respond to treatment and passed away on Friday.

Thimmakka had been hospitalised many times in the last few years mostly due to age-related complications. She had undergone a hip surgery and an angioplasty in the last five years.

A native of Hulikal in Magadi taluk, Thimmakka was known for her love for trees and the environment. Being unable to conceive even years after marriage, she planted thousands of trees on the roadside and nurtured them like her own kids. According to an estimate, she is said to have planted 385 Banyan trees along a 4.5-kilometre stretch of the highway between Hulikal and Kudur and 8,000 other trees.

In an interview to DH, Thimmakka had spoken up about her life journey.

“Even after 25 years of marriage, I couldn’t conceive. My husband and I were distraught, my husband more than me. So I told him not to be. I told him we could plant trees and take care of them like our children. That is why we started planting trees,” she had said.

Thimmakka, who is fondly remembered as the ‘Vriksha Mathe’, was honoured with Padma Shri award in 2019.

Her work and love for the environment also attracted many prestigious awards including the Nadoja award in 2010 and Veerachakra Prashasthi in 1997. She was also featured in the ‘BBC 100 women’ published in 2016.

Condolences pour in

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, in a condolence message, opined that her love for the environment will keep her alive in the hearts of the people.

“Even though Thimmakka had left us today, her love for the environment has made her immortal,” he said.

Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar said that Thimmakka had set an example for the entire world and will be remembered forever for her love for trees.

Calling her a pride of Karnataka, Forest Minister Eshwar Khandre spoke about her contribution to nature in his condolence message.

“The trees she planted have been a home for hundreds of birds and provide shade to people. Many youngsters have been inspired by her work and taken to preservation of nature,” he said.