Written By : Tanisha Malyan
SAALUMARADA THIMMAKKA: KARNATAKA’S ECO-WARRIOR
In the world full of technological marvels and industrial growth where environmental destruction is mainly neglected, comes the struggles of Saalumarada Thimmakka, Karnataka’s Eco-Warrior who is a remarkable representation of how anyone can work with such a dedication for environment. Thimmakka grew up in poverty without schooling and turned her pain of being childless into a green legacy planting hundreds of trees and treating them as she would treat her children. Considered the “Mother of Trees,” and Thimmakka’s story is not just about planting trees but also about planting hope, one banyan at a time on the dusty lanes of Karnataka. This is the story of how a simple woman became an environmental icon who never failed in inspiring generations till the present date.
EARLY LIFE:
She was born on June 30th in the year 1911 at Tumakuru District in Karnataka. Thimmakka worked as a laborer in her childhood and was responsible for supporting her family because she was the strength for them. In her teens she married Chikkaiah who was a daily wage worker from Hulikal village. Thimmakka and Chikkaiah lived a simple and peaceful life but did not have children. Their grief of not having children pushed them to plant banyan trees along village roads. They saw these trees as their legacy and started their journey as a green campaigner.
PLANTING THE ROW OF TREES:
The name “Saalumarada” which means “row of trees” in Kannada reflects Thimmakka’s remarkable life journey. Thimmakka and her husband started planting banyan saplings to ease their disappointment over being childless. They began with 10 trees and added a few each year working with a passion. They carried water for many kilometers and built fences around the saplings. Overall, they planted 385 banyan trees. She planted almost 8000 other trees during her time in Karnataka and her work transformed wastelands into green corridors even without formal support.
RECOGNITION AND INFLUENCE:
1] Saalumarada Thimmakka, Karnataka’s Eco-Warrior received the Padma Shri, one of the most prestigious civilian awards in the year 2019 for her outstanding contribution in environment preservation.
2] In 1995, she was recognized with the National Citizen’s Award for her commendable efforts in environmental education and conservation.
3] In 2016, she was titled as one of the BBC’s 100 Most Influential Women.
4] She has received a multitude of local and national awards.
5] Karnataka’s government recognized her hard work and efforts by appointed her as Environment Ambassador with a cabinet rank in 2022.
6] The Central University of Karnataka mentioned her as honorary doctorate for her environment driven work.
Her personal story has inspired several people in the world to take care for their mother environment and surrounding. Even till the present date, she is a ray of hope and an example of how an individual can make a large impact on their surroundings.
LEGACY:
Even her husband’s death in 1991, she remained equally passionate for her work and created a rain water harvesting tank which helped her to care for trees during dry spells. Thimmakka, Karnataka’s Eco-Warrior had a dream of building a hospital in memory of her husband. In 2019, she successfully convinced the authorities not to remove her banyan trees due to a road widening which allowed her to protect the green corridor that she and her husband had created together. Thimmakka, even after the age of 110, continued involvement in environmental sustainability activities which helped in her recognition as a great ambassador for protecting nature and inspiring others to plant trees and save environment.
Also read: Pratibha Patil
SUMMARY:
The life of Saalumarada Thimmakka, Karnataka’s Eco-Warrior is an excellent historical reference about affection for nature and heartfelt service. In her case, without any formal education or monetary support, she changed barren land into green corridors and has shown us all how one person can make a meaningful and significant difference. From her stories we learn that small acts of kindness done with heart, has the potential to flourish into impressive acts. At a time of great climate crisis, Thimmakka is a living example for so many of us reminding us to respect nature and plant trees.