saalumarada thimmakka Biography

Saalumarada Thimmakka, known as The Green Crusader, has demonstrated that when life doesn’t grant your heart’s desires, you can forge your own blessings. Hailing from the Indian state of Karnataka, Thimmakka earned the moniker “Saalumarada” in Kannada, signifying “row of trees,” in recognition of her environmental efforts. She was born in either 1910 or 1911, making her currently aged between 111 and 112 years old. Her birthplace is Gubbi Taluk, Tumkur District, and Karnataka.

Saalumarada Thimmakka Biography, Education, Weight, Age, Family, & More

Saalumarada Thimmakka, without the privilege of formal education, embarked on a remarkable journey alongside her husband, planting banyan trees that gave her purpose. Her dedication earned her a place on BBC’s prestigious list of 100 most influential women. Alongside caring for 8,000 trees in total, she is particularly celebrated for nurturing 385 banyan trees. Notably, she planted an impressive 284 banyan trees along the Bangalore – Nelamangala National highway, spanning nearly four kilometers. Thimmakka and her husband initially started this initiative with just ten banyan saplings on each side of the road during the first year.

Education

Thimmakka never received a formal education.

Husband

She was married to Chikkaiah, and sadly, her husband passed away in 1991. The couple did not have children, but they shared a contented life together marked by hard work and comfort. According to sources, Saalumarada Thimmakka began planting banyan trees as a substitute for having children. This choice shifted her attention towards nature, and both she and her husband became passionate about nurturing and caring for trees.

Career

In addition to her tree-planting efforts, Saalumarada Thimmakka has contributed significantly to her community. As she has grown older, the responsibility of maintaining the trees she planted has been assumed by the Karnataka Government. Despite the substantial value of the trees she cultivated today, which provide us with fresh oxygen, she has never sought a lavish lifestyle. Thimmakka has actively engaged in state and national environmental protection campaigns, demonstrating her commitment to preserving the environment. Her outstanding work has garnered recognition from the Government of India, and she was honored with the Padma Shri award in 2019.

BBC recognition

In 2016, the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) recognized Saalumarada Thimmakka as one of the world’s most influential and inspirational women.

There is no end to hopes.

One might underestimate the significance of tree planting, but the true value becomes apparent when you embark on the endeavor yourself. Thimmakka and her husband undertook a remarkable journey, covering a distance of four kilometers, and utilized whatever limited resources they had to plant these trees. They carried four pails of water for irrigation, and to ensure adequate water supply, they strategically planted the trees during the monsoon season, taking advantage of the plentiful rainwater. This careful planning allowed the trees to establish themselves before the monsoons ended.

Awards List

• Vrikshamatha award
• Vishwathma Award by Hoovinahole Foundation -2015
• Vishalakshi Award by Art of Living Organisation
• Veerachakra Prashasthi Award – 1997
• Parisara Rathana award
• Padma Shri award – 2019
• One of BBC’s 100 Women in 2016
• National Citizen’s award – 1995
• Nadoja Award By Hampi University- 2010
• Karnataka Kalpavalli Award – 2000
• Indira Priyadarshini Vrikshamitra Awards – 1997
• Honoured with the She’s Divine Award by I and You Being Together Foundation 2017
• Honour Certificate from the Women and Child Welfare Department, Government of KarnatakaGreen champion award
• Certificate of Appreciation from the Indian Institute of Wood Science and Technology, Bangalore.

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