Saalumarada Thimmakka - A Lifestory
The Treewoman: Planting Hope, Nurturing Life, One Sapling At A Time
Saalumarada Thimmakka is an environmentalist renowned for her extraordinary dedication to planting and tending to trees. Born in a small village in Karnataka, India, Thimmakka's early life was marked by hardship and the inability to conceive children. This led her and her husband, Sri Bikkala Chikkayya, to find solace and purpose in nurturing trees. Beginning in the 1950s, they embarked on a remarkable journey of planting banyan trees along a fourkilometer stretch of highway between Hulikal and Kudur.
With limited resources and immense dedication, the couple treated the trees as their own children, carrying water from nearby sources and protecting them from grazing animals. They planted around 385 banyan trees, meticulously caring for them year after year. Their unwavering commitment transformed the arid landscape into a vibrant green canopy, providing shade and shelter for travelers and a haven for wildlife.
Thimmakka's selfless act of environmental stewardship has earned her numerous accolades, including the National Citizen's Award of India. Her story is a powerful testament to the impact that individuals can have on their environment, regardless of their circumstances. She has become an inspiration to environmentalists and ordinary citizens alike, demonstrating the importance of perseverance, dedication, and a deep love for nature. Even after her husband's death, Thimmakka continued her work, tending to the trees and inspiring others to take action for the environment. Her legacy lives on, reminding us of the profound connection between humanity and nature and the importance of preserving our planet for future generations.
