Saalumarada Thimmakka, also known as the “Mother of Trees,” was one of India’s most inspiring environmentalists. Her life was a symbol of dedication, compassion, and change for the environment. She was born poor and didn’t go to school, but she turned a 4.5-kilometer stretch of barren land in Karnataka into a lush green corridor by planting 385 banyan trees and caring for them like they were her own children. Her amazing work not only won her the prestigious Padma Shri, but it also made her famous around the world. This shows how one woman’s dedication can have a lasting effect on society and the environment.
India mourned her death in November 2025, when she was 114 years old, but her legacy still inspires millions.
Table of Contents
Saalumarada Thimmakka Age, Husband, Birth, Children, Awards and more.
| Field | Details |
| Full Name | Saalumarada Thimmakka |
| Known As | “Mother of Trees” / “Vriksha Mathe” |
| Birth | 30 June 1911 |
| Birthplace | Gubbi Taluk, Tumakuru district, Karnataka |
| Husband | Chikkaiah |
| Children | Childless; adopted a son later |
| Famous For | Planting 385 banyan trees along a 4.5 km stretch |
| Other Trees Planted | Over 8,000 trees in total |
| Occupation | Environmentalist, Former Quarry Worker |
| Awards | Padma Shri (2019), National Citizen’s Award, Nadoja Award & more |
| Died | 14 November 2025, Bengaluru |
| Age at Death | 114 years |
| Legacy | One of India’s most influential grassroots environmentalists |
Who Was Saalumarada Thimmakka?
Saalumarada Thimmakka was an Indian environmentalist who worked for decades to plant trees in Karnataka. Her name became known for grassroots conservation and living in a way that is good for the environment. Even though she didn’t go to school, she did more for the environment than big organizations.
She and her husband, who didn’t have any kids, decided to “raise trees like children,” which is how her journey began. They planted young trees, watered them every day, put up fences around them, and kept cows away from them, all without expecting to make any money.
Saalumarada Thimmakka Recent News (2025)
- Saalumarada Thimmakka Died at the Age of 114 Thimmakka died on November 14, 2025, in a Bengaluru hospital because of health problems related to her age. She had been admitted for treatment before and had surgery in the past.
- Leaders Sent Their Condolences
- Many leaders from both the state and the country sent their condolences and called her death “a great loss for the nation.”
- Controversy over the biopic
- In the middle of 2025, a Kannada film biopic called “Vrukshamate” caused a stir when Thimmakka and her adopted son said the filmmakers used her life story without her permission
Saalumarada Thimmakka Early Life & Struggles
Thimmakka came from a poor family and worked in a stone quarry. Life was hard, and getting by was a daily struggle. But her willpower stayed strong. Not having kids in her life brought her closer to nature, which eventually became her life’s work.
Environmental Work: Planting 385 Banyan Trees
The couple started planting banyan saplings along the road from Hulikal to Kudur, which is about 4.5 km long.
Every day, they had to:
• Carry water for several kilometers
• Keeping animals from eating young trees
• Putting thorny bushes around young plants to keep them safe
•Planting more trees before each monsoon
What began as a personal goal quickly turned into a movement to save the planet.
Saalumarada Thimmakka Awards & Recognition
Saalumarada Thimmakka received several national and state-level honours:
- Padma Shri (2019)
- Nadoja Award (2010)
- National Citizen’s Award (1995)
- Named in BBC’s 100 Influential Women (2016)
- Honoured by environmental groups, institutions, and governments
Her story is now part of environmental studies and motivational programs across India.
Saalumarada Thimmakka Legacy & Impact
• She made a green corridor that helps millions of travelers.
• Her trees help keep the air clean, give shade, and provide homes for animals.
• Her life has inspired environmental movements all over India.
• She showed that you don’t need money or an education to make a difference; you just need to be dedicated.
The Thimmakka Foundation and the thousands of people who plant trees in her honor every year carry on her legacy.
Conclusion
Saalumarada Thimmakka’s life is a timeless reminder that being great isn’t about having money, education, or privilege; it’s about being kind, working hard, and having a goal. Thousands of people still benefit from her green legacy, which she cared for with love for decades. It gives them life, shade, and oxygen. She is still a symbol of hope and commitment to the environment, even though she died in 2025. Her story will continue to inspire people to plant trees and take care of the earth for years to come.
