Environmental Icon Thimmakka Passes Away at 114, Leaving Behind a Legacy of Greenery
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Bengaluru, India - Saalumarada Thimmakka, a 114-year-old environmental icon, has passed away at a private hospital in Bengaluru. Thimmakka, who dedicated her life to planting and nurturing hundreds of trees, left behind a lasting legacy that has inspired countless people. Born on June 30, 1911, in Gubbi taluk, Tumakuru district, Thimmakka turned to tree planting as a way to cope with the emotional void left by her lack of formal education and inability to have children. Over the years, she cared for her saplings with the same devotion she would have given her own children. Thimmakka's tireless efforts transformed a stretch of rural Karnataka, earning her the nickname 'Saalumarada,' meaning 'row of trees.' Her remarkable achievement of planting and nurturing 385 banyan trees along a 4.5-kilometer route between Hulikal and Kudur in Bengaluru South district has become a symbol of her unwavering commitment to environmental conservation. Thimmakka's contributions were recognized nationally, with several prestigious awards, including the Padma Shri in 2019, the National Citizen Award in 1995, and the Indira Priyadarshini Vrikshamitra Award in 1997. As news of Thimmakka's passing spread, tributes poured in from across the country. Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah expressed his deep sadness, stating that Thimmakka's connection to nature had made her 'immortal.' He added that the state had become 'poorer' with her loss, a testament to the profound impact she had on the lives of those around her. Thimmakka's legacy will continue to inspire future generations to take action in protecting the environment and preserving the beauty of nature.
