A life rooted in compassion, nurtured through trees, remembered by generations.
💚 A Green Icon Bids Farewell
India mourns the loss of Saalumarada Thimmakka, Karnataka’s legendary “Mother of Trees,” who passed away on 14 November 2025 at the age of 114.
From a quarry labourer to one of the world’s most admired environmental champions — her journey is a testament to the power of purpose and resilience.
🌱 Humble Beginnings, Immense Strength
Born on 30 June 1911 in Gubbi taluk (present-day Tumakuru district), Thimmakka never had formal education and worked as a daily-wage labourer.
After facing the sorrow of not being able to conceive, she turned to nature — choosing to heal her pain by nurturing life through trees.
🌳 Motherhood Through Trees
With her husband Chikkaiah, she planted their first 10 banyan saplings — a simple act that grew into a lifelong mission.
Together, they went on to:
✅ Plant 385 banyan trees along the Hulikal–Kudur highway
✅ Care for nearly 8,000 saplings
Carrying water for kilometres, protecting each plant from animals, and treating every tree like their own child.
After her husband’s passing in 1991, Thimmakka continued the mission alone — calling her trees her “children of the soil.”
🏅 Recognition Rooted in Humility
Her dedication earned her some of the nation’s highest honours:
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Padma Shri (2019)
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National Citizen’s Award
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Nadoja Award – Hampi University
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International accolades from environmental groups worldwide
One unforgettable moment — during the Padma Shri ceremony, she gently blessed the President of India, breaking protocol but winning the entire nation’s heart.
🕊️ Modest Living, Mighty Principles
Despite national fame, Thimmakka lived simply on a modest pension.
Her lifelong dream: to build a hospital in her village in memory of her husband.
In 2019, when road-widening threatened the banyan trees she nurtured for decades, she personally intervened — a single voice that compelled authorities to rethink and protect the green corridor.
🌾 A Legacy That Will Live Forever
Thimmakka proved that you don’t need wealth, power, or education to change the world — only compassion and determination.
Her name is now synonymous with hope.
Her forest stands tall.
Her story continues to inspire millions.
🤍 In Remembrance
As we bid farewell to Saalumarada Thimmakka, we honour a woman who turned grief into purpose and built a greener world — one sapling at a time.
May every tree planted in the future carry her spirit forward.
🌿 #SaalumaradaThimmakka #MotherOfTrees #TimesMahesha #GreenLegacy #Karnataka #InMemoriam #EnvironmentalHero #TreeWomanOfIndia #SustainableFuture #IndianIcons #GreenWarrior
