BENGALURU, 15 NOV

Padma Shri recipient ‘Saalumarada’ Thimmakka was laid to rest with full state honours in the City on Saturday. The 114-year-old environmentalist, affectionately known as ‘Vruksha Maate’ (Mother of Trees), passed away in a private hospital on Friday due to age-related ailments.

Born on 30 June, 1911, Thimmakka became celebrated as ‘Saalumarada’ after planting 385 banyan trees along a 4.5 km stretch between Hulikal and Kudur in Ramanagara district. 

With no formal education and unable to have children, she began planting saplings and caring for them as her own, eventually inspiring generations through her extraordinary dedication to environmental conservation.

Her last rites were conducted according to Lingayat tradition at Kalagrama on the Jnana Bharathi campus. Home Minister G Parameshwara, Forest Minister Eshwar Khandre and several MLAs were present as her body was laid to rest.

After paying his respects, Minister Khandre announced that a State award would be instituted in Thimmakka’s name. He said Karnataka had lost a true guardian of nature whose lifelong commitment had inspired lakhs of people to plant and nurture trees. As a tribute, 114 saplings will be planted at 114 locations across the State, symbolising each year of her remarkable life.