India on Friday (November 14, 2025) bid farewell to one of its most cherished environmental icons, Saalumarada Thimmakka, who passed away at the age of 114. Fondly known as Kannadakka and celebrated worldwide for her extraordinary contribution to environmental conservation, Thimmakka breathed her last at a Bengaluru hospital where she had been admitted for age-related complications.
Born in 1911 in the village of Gubbi in Karnataka’s Tumakuru district, Thimmakka rose to national and international prominence for a life devoted to nurturing the environment—long before climate consciousness became a global movement. Her name became synonymous with grassroots ecological activism, particularly after she and her husband, the late Bikkala Chikkayya, planted 385 banyan trees along the Hulikal–Kudur stretch in Ramanagara district. The couple tenderly watered, fenced, and nurtured the saplings, treating them like the children they never had. Over decades, the saplings grew into a majestic green avenue, earning Thimmakka the title “Saalumarada,” meaning “row of trees” in Kannada.
A Lifelong Commitment to the Earth
Thimmakka’s journey started from personal grief. Married young and unable to bear children, she once said that planting and raising trees became her “purpose and emotional anchor.” What began as an act of solace grew into an ecological legacy admired around the world. Today, many of the banyan trees she planted tower over the Hulikal–Kudur route, providing shade, shelter, and ecological stability to the region.
Her efforts were recognized with numerous accolades, including the Padma Shri in 2019, one of India’s highest civilian honors. She was also conferred the National Citizen’s Award in 2010, the Dr. Rajkumar Award, the Vishwathma Award, and several state honors. In 1997, the U.S.-based Thimmakka Foundation was named after her to promote environmental conservation.
Despite the international recognition, Thimmakka remained grounded. She lived a simple life and often reminded younger generations that “nature returns everything we give it.” Even in her later years, she participated in tree-planting drives, public awareness programs, and environmental campaigns across Karnataka.
A Legacy That Grew Beyond Trees
Over the years, Thimmakka planted more than 8,000 trees, including banyans, neem, and other native species. Several philanthropists and environmental groups acknowledged her efforts by supporting her welfare in her later years. In 2020, the Karnataka government also announced financial support to ensure proper medical care and dignity in her old age.
One of her greatest contributions was inspiring countless young people to take up environmental activism. Schools and colleges across the state often invited her to speak about her life story, and she encouraged children to plant and care for trees as an act of service to humanity.
Her Last Days
According to hospital sources, Thimmakka was admitted earlier this week after her health deteriorated. Doctors monitored her closely, but age-related complications made recovery difficult. She passed away peacefully on Friday, leaving behind a nation mourning the loss of a woman who became the face of grassroots conservation in India.
Leaders, Environmentalists Pay Tribute
Messages of condolence poured in from political leaders, environmental organizations, conservationists, and ordinary citizens who admired her work. Many hailed her as a “mother to thousands of trees” and a “symbol of India’s ecological conscience.”
Environmentalists called her passing “an end of an era,” emphasizing that her decades-long work had shaped Karnataka’s green landscape and inspired environmental movements across India. Her life, they said, stands as a testament to the fact that impactful change can begin with a single person armed with dedication and love for nature.
A Green Legacy for Generations
Thimmakka’s story has been documented in textbooks, research papers, documentaries, and children’s literature. Her work continues through tree-planting initiatives named after her, environmental awards instituted in her honor, and the many green corridors inspired by the path she carved.
As India mourns the passing of Saalumarada Thimmakka, her life remains a powerful reminder that environmental stewardship is not a duty but a devotion. She leaves behind not just a row of trees but a forest of hope, inspiration, and enduring ecological wisdom.
Her legacy will continue to grow—just like the trees she planted over a century ago.
