The 'Tree Woman' of India

Saalumarada Thimmakka is a remarkable woman from Karnataka, who is known for her outstanding contribution to the environment. She is a true inspiration for many, and her story is one that is worth sharing.

Thimmakka was born in a small village in Karnataka, in a family that was not well-off. She had to drop out of school at a young age to help her family with their farming work. Despite this, she had a deep love for nature, and spent much of her time in the fields and forests around her village.

One day, while walking along a barren stretch of road, Thimmakka and her husband saw that there were no trees to provide shade. This sight inspired them to start planting trees along the road. They began by planting banyan and tamarind trees, and soon others in the village joined in as well.

Over the next several decades, Thimmakka and her husband planted over 8,000 trees along a four-kilometer stretch of road. This not only transformed the barren stretch of road into a lush green corridor, but also helped to improve the local environment. The trees helped to prevent soil erosion, improve the air quality, and provide a habitat for wildlife.

Thimmakka's work did not go unnoticed, and she soon became known as the "tree woman" of Karnataka. She was honored with many awards and accolades for her contributions to the environment, including the National Citizen's Award from the Government of India.

Despite her advanced age, Thimmakka continues to plant trees and raise awareness about the importance of preserving the environment. She is a shining example of how one person can make a difference, and her legacy will live on for generations to come.

In the present day, Saalumarada Thimmakka is remembered for her relentless pursuit for environment conservation and planting over 8000 trees. She is a true symbol of selfless dedication and relentless hard work. Her story continues to inspire many people, of all ages, from all over the world, to take up a small step towards protecting our environment. And in the process, may be we can also make our planet a greener, cleaner and a better place to live in.

Saalumarada Thimmakka has been honored with a number of awards and accolades for her contributions to the environment. Some of the notable awards that she has received include:

• The National Citizen's Award from the Government of India: This is the highest award given to an individual for their contributions to the environment. Thimmakka was awarded this honor in 2016 for her work in planting trees and preserving the environment.

• The Nadoja Award from the Hampi University: This award is given to individuals who have made significant contributions in their respective fields. Thimmakka was awarded the Nadoja in 2017 for her work in promoting environmental conservation.

• The Padma Shri: This is one of the highest civilian awards in India, given by the President of India to individuals who have made distinguished contributions to society. Thimmakka was awarded the Padma Shri in 2019 for her contributions in environment conservation.

• The Karnataka Rajyotsava award: This award is given by the Government of Karnataka to individuals who have made exceptional contributions in various fields. Thimmakka was awarded the Karnataka Rajyotsava award for her outstanding work in protecting and preserving the environment.

There are many other awards and recognitions, Thimmakka received during her lifetime. Her inspiring journey of planting trees and her relentless dedication towards environmental conservation has been acknowledged across the country and world.