Padma Shri Awardee Saalumarada Thimmakka Passes Away At 114: ‘Mother Of Trees’ Leaves Lasting Green Legacy

Add as a preferred source on Google

This 14 November 2025, India has bid farewell to one of its most remarkable environmentalists. Saalumarada Thimmakka, aged 114, passed away in Bengaluru after a period of hospital care. Tributes poured in from across Karnataka, with the chief minister, the environment ministry, and civil society acknowledging a life devoted to trees, hundreds of banyans planted, thousands of saplings nurtured, and an ecosystem of care built around her name.

Photo Credit: Instagram@bharatpatilnadahalli

Her passing invites reflection not just on her life, but on what it takes for one person to plant a legacy, both in the soil and in people's minds. Here's a closer look at her journey, her impact, and why her story continues to resonate.

Early Life And Roots

Born on 30 June 1911 in Gubbi Taluk, Karnataka, Thimmakka grew up in a modest household with no formal education. She worked as a casual labourer and later married Chikkaiah from Hulikal village. The couple remained childless, and it was around this time that she began channeling her care into planting trees.

Her name, "Saalumarada," meaning "row of trees" in Kannada reflects her commitment. Together with her husband, she planted banyan trees along a stretch of road, treating them as a living legacy.

Tree By Tree: The Work That Defined Her

Thimmakka's signature achievement was planting and tending 385 banyan trees along a stretch between Hulikal and Kudur in Karnataka. But her work extended far beyond that, with thousands more trees planted across the region.

Her approach was simple and disciplined: watering saplings, protecting them from grazing animals, and nurturing them over the years. She often walked long distances with a pot of water, ensuring the trees survived and thrived. Her work demonstrates how consistent, small acts can create lasting environmental impact.

Awards, Recognition And Wider Reach

Despite living a humble life, Thimmakka received numerous honours for her dedication:

• Padma Shri in 2019
• BBC's "100 Women" list in 2016
• National Citizen Award and Indira Priyadarshini Vrikshamitra Award

Her journey stands out to showcase the power of quiet persistence. With no formal education and minimal resources, she left a mark that drew national and international attention.

Why Her Journey Is SIgnificant

Thimmakka's work goes beyond simply planting trees:

• Steady dedication: She spent decades nurturing saplings, focused on the work itself rather than for the recognition.
• Visible results: The trees she planted remain, shaping the landscape and lives around them.
• Personal connection: The childless couple's care for each tree shows how their actions were driven by love and attention.
• Small beginnings, big effect: Starting with a few saplings, her consistent effort created a lasting presence.
• Her life invites us to reflect: What small acts can we do today that may grow into something bigger tomorrow?

Concluding Thoughts

Saalumarada Thimmakka's demise marks the end of an era, but her legacy continues, in the trees that stand, in the stories shared, and in the inspiration she leaves behind.
Thimmakka's life shows that meaningful change comes from patience, care, and steady effort. Over time, small, thoughtful actions can leave a lasting mark on both the environment and the people around us. Her story encourages us to consider the everyday choices we make, the actions that slowly grow into something enduring.