In a profound loss to India’s environmental legacy, Saalumarada Thimmakka, the revered “Mother of Trees” and Padma Shri awardee, passed away on November 14, 2025 at the age of 114.
BENGALURU (India CSR): The iconic environmentalist, who single-handedly planted over 385 banyan trees along a 45-km stretch of State Highway 94 between Kudur and Hulikal in Karnataka, succumbed to age-related ailments at a hospital in Bengaluru.
The word ‘Saalumarada’ means ‘rows of trees’ and evidently, she truly justifies it. Thimmakka, fondly known as Vrikshamate for planting 8,000 trees including over 400 banyan trees, was awarded Padma Shri earlier in 2019.
Padma Shri awardee Saalumarada Thimmakka was appointed as Karnataka environment ambassador with a government cabinet rank by the Bsavaraj Bommai-led government. (Read Full Story: 111-year-old environmentalist given status of a cabinet minister, who is She? )
The life of Saalu Marada Thimmakka is full of inspirations. The boundless love for the environment sets them apart from others. We as a human have to understand that our life is protected by nature itself. Marada Thimmakka has understood this very deeply. Greatness lies in dedication and perseverance towards any task. Marada Thimmakka life gives this message. Saalu Marada Thimmakka teaches us Happiness is a choice.
Here are 10 things one should learn from her
Today, she is a renowned environmentalist who held the recognition of being one who planted and tended many banyan trees. And that is nothing but a great achievement! She is a True inspiration.
Age is Just a Number
This age-old saying is 100% true in case of our Karnataka’s pride Saalu Marada Thimmakka. At first, she planted trees along 4 KMs stretch from her village. She not only planted those trees but also tended them until they grew into sturdier. Now, she has made it her life mission to plant trees with an everlasting concern for the environment for the past 75 years. She is now 106 years old. Even at this age, she has become a role model to the entire world today.
Love for Mother Earth
In this Hi-Fi life, we are not even bothered to take care of our surroundings. But, this Inspirational Woman has taken a mission to love & Serve environment, grow trees and to spread the greenery. She serves and nurtures trees like her own children’s. Her love for Mother Earth is unconditional & inspirational.
An Undying Passion
Saalumarada Thimmakka stands as a unique individual who has brought recognition to our state, Karnataka worldwide by her incredible and massive environmental service. She has been recognized massively by the people of the world as a great environmentalist. Though this passion of serving the environment did not improve her financial conditions, her passion never died.
Dedication
Instead of wallowing in the sorrow of not having Children, Saalumarada Timmakka and her husband decided to do something different. Together they started grafting Banyan saplings to nurture and raise them as their own children. This couple dedicated their life for serving the mother Earth even with their small income they did their best to grow the Banyan trees.
Educated/Uneducated Doesn’t Matter
Only an educated person has all this knowledge about growing trees spreading greenery? Not always true. Saalumarada Thimmakka did not even gets a formal education. Knowledge doesn’t only come with education; it comes from the self, within us. She is a great inspiration for gaining knowledge within us. With self-taught skills, She has earned immense respect and is recognized massively by the people of the world as a great environmentalist.
Courage
Thimmakka started this mission with her husband. In spite of the fact that her husband passed away and heavy rain had washed away her home in the same year. But that did not discourage her in any way. She pursued her mission with the same determination and courage. She with the help of well-wishers managed to rebuild the mud house. The Courage in her is a true inspiration for all of us.
Work Hard
She has done much more than planting trees. She is actively involved in the state and national environmental protection campaign. Saalu Marada Thimmakka has been an active campaigner in circulating the message of afforestation. She always says, every human being on earth should plant trees. She kept going with her struggle for the betterment of the environment.
A Helping Hand
She involved in many social activities, including building a rainwater storage tank for the annual function of her village. The lady has set up a trust for building up a hospital in her village. She still faces a life of financial struggle. However, this never deterred her spirit from helping mankind.
Humble & Simple Woman
She has been bestowed upon with hundreds of accolades and awards. She received the National Citizen Award by the Government of India, National Indira Priyadarshini Vrikshamitra Award, Karnataka Rajya Parisara Award, and many others. Yet she is that Simple and Humble woman who never stopped no matter how popular she has become. She has dedicated all the trees to the state and has never expected anything in return.
Happiness is a Choice
Many of us believe that happiness is in materialistic things. But Happiness is a satisfaction and a fulfilled life. Saalu Marada Thimmakka teaches us Happiness is a choice. Having no children, being in poverty, aced social ridicule and also went through outrageous behavior from many, which dint stopped her from achieving something great and today she is an inspiration to the world. This very nature of her teaches us Happiness is a choice.
Saalu Marada Thimmakka has been an inspiration for us and her story continues to motivate us to work tirelessly without expecting anything but to work towards the betterment of the environment. But the only way to truly honor her is to continue her fight to save the environment. You don’t have to do big like her but making the slightest changes to your lifestyle will surely help in the betterment of the environment.
Also Read: Why did Thimmakka want to plant trees?
Trees Lose Their Mother ‘Thimmakka’ In Karnataka
Mother Of Trees ‘Thimmakka’ Passing Is An Environmental Loss For India, Says Rusen Kumar
