01/10/2024
Once unable to conceive, Saalumarada Thimmakka found solace in nurturing trees, and today, at the age of 113, she is celebrated as the 'Mother of Trees,' having planted and cared for over 8,000 trees over the past 80 years.
Born in Gubbi Taluk and deprived of formal education, Thimmakka began working as a laborer at a young age. Married to Sri Bikkala Chikkayya at just 12, she earned the title 'Saalumara' (meaning 'row of trees') due to her unwavering dedication to tree planting.
The couple's journey started with ficus (banyan) trees, which were abundant in their village. They began by planting 10 trees in the first year, gradually increasing their efforts, and building an impressive green legacy.
Despite the dry and challenging conditions, they worked tirelessly—Chikkaiah dug the pits, while Thimmakka, affectionately known as 'Vruksha Maathe' (Mother of Trees), carried water for the young saplings.
Using their hard-earned money for supplies, they protected the trees with thorny shrubs as fencing. Together, they lovingly nurtured 400 trees, treating each one as their own child.
After Chikkaiah's passing in 1991, Thimmakka found renewed strength and purpose in the trees they had planted together. Continuing their legacy, she went on to nurture over 8,000 trees throughout her lifetime.
Her love for the environment extends beyond her personal efforts; she actively inspires younger generations to take up environmental responsibility.
In 2019, Thimmakka successfully opposed a highway expansion project that threatened her trees, compelling authorities to find an alternative route, thereby saving the 70-year-old trees she had planted with her husband.
Thimmakka's dedication to the environment has earned her numerous accolades, including the prestigious Padma Shri.
