“Mother of trees’ Saalumarada Thimmakka, passes away at 114, leaving a legacy of thousands of trees raised as her own children”, Opindia, November 15, 2025
“India has lost one of its most respected environmentalists. Saalumarada Thimmakka, known as the “Mother of Trees,” passed away in Bengaluru on 14th November, at the age of 114. Thimmakka was admitted to Apollo Hospital in Jayanagar with breathing problems and age-related weakness, where she remained under care until her final moments. Her passing marks the end of an era in grassroots conservation, and tributes have poured in from leaders, citizens, and environmentalists who admired her selfless devotion to nurturing thousands of trees.
Early life and family background
Thimmakka was born on June 30, 1911, in Gubbi Taluk of Tumakuru district, Karnataka. She grew up in a poor family and didn’t have the chance to go to school, instead taking on labour work from a young age to help her family. In 1928, she married Sri Bikkala Chikkaiah, a daily wage worker from Hulikal village in Ramanagara district.
The couple could not have children, and this hardship sparked a new purpose in Thimmakka’s life. Instead of falling into sorrow, Thimmakka decided to plant saplings, raising them with the same love she would have shown her own children. Years later, she adopted a foster son named Umesh, but her strongest bond was with the rows of trees she planted and protected throughout her life……”
Read full article at opindia.com
