CEO Insights Hall of Fame: 8 Legends Who Keep India Evergreen
Saalumarada Thimmakka: A Mother to Over 8,000 Trees
An extraordinary woman from Karnataka who left an unforgettable mark with exceptional environmental contributions is Saalumarada Thimmakka. Her story teaches us that age is just a number, and it’s never too late to start anything that one places his or her hope on. At 40 years old, she wanted to end her life due to being unable to conceive. But both she and her husband discovered a purpose when they decided to plant as many trees as they could and care for them as they would for their own children. With each, their efforts bore many trees, especially in a place considered challenging for Banyan tree’s growth, until they crossed 8,000 so far.
Set in the Gubbi taluk of Tumkur district, Karnataka, this unstoppable, strong-willed woman came to be fondly known as Saalumarada Thimmakka. She grew up with resources of the bare minimum, and worse, her economic condition prevented her from attending school. At a young age, she had to earn for her and her family’s livelihood as a coolie and grazing sheep and cattle. She was soon married to Sri Bikkala Chikkayya of Hulikal village, with whom she found a purpose to plant trees.
Make Do with Whatever Resources They Had
Initially, they planted 10 trees, then 15, 20, and in just two years, their efforts bore 384 trees. They would walk four kilometres carrying four pails of water to water the saplings and used whatever few resources they had at the time. They were clever to plant more sapplings during the monsoon season as it would bless abundant rainwater for growth in this way. Thimmakka followed this for many years, knowing clearly that it would not improve her financial situation.
Recognition came her way in 1995, around five years after the passing of her husband, Chikkanna.
Chikkana equally contributed towards the trees in which he even left his job to completely commit his life to caring for nature.
He warded off the animals from the trees by regularly patrolling the area.
Her Contributions Drew Karnataka International Attention
Thimmakka earned the Indian National Citizen's Award in recognition of her contributions. Then, in 2019, the Padma Shri award, the highest civilian honor in the Republic of India, was given to her, signifying her recognition by the Indian government. In the US, there is an environmental organization bearing her name, Thimmakka's Resources for Environmental Education. Saalumarada Thimmakka’s extensive environmental contributions have earned the state of Karnataka international attention.
The Legacy Lives On
Thimmakka's foster son, Umesh B.N., now continues to uphold the duty by planting and caring for trees on the mountaintops and along the highways, schools, and public areas. Additionally, he is effectively leading the PRITHVI BACHAO Movement, and supplies plants to farmers interested in cultivating plants from his own nursery.
Her Next Mission
Despite winning hundreds of accolades, SaalumaradaThimmakka is still a modest and innocent person. Even at the age of 100+, she still holds onto the hope of planting more trees in the future. The next task for the lone ranger is to establish a hospital near Kadur, her hamlet. She has been requesting permission from the local panchayat to build a hospital. Thimmakka's contributions to the battle against afforestation are simply astounding.