AN ENVIRONMENTALIST GOES IN SEARCH OF SAALUMARADA THIMMAKKA

Environmentalist US Moinuddin with Saalumarada Thimmakka outside her residence

Bangalore: The story of a childless lady who decided to plant trees and take care of them as her children has captivated the imagination of  millions of people across the world. Saalumarada Thimmakka, considered as the pride of Karnataka continues to inspire a large number of people who work to save our fragile environment.

To know more about Saalumarada Thimmakka, environmentalist US Moinuddin went in search of her to Hulikal village in Magadi Taluk.   

US Moinuddin with Saalumarada Thimmakka, K. Gopinath, Umesh and Suhas

Locating the celebrated lady in Hulikal village was not a very difficult job. A green colour house with her name painted on the compound wall in Kannada that translates “Smt. Saalumarada Thimmakka, national and state awardee,” caught my eyes. Ahead of her house were huge Banyan trees that she had planted decades ago. Inside the house was Thimmakka seated on the floor. She says she is 101 years old, but looks not more than 87.  The hundreds of trophies which she had received over the years glitter her house. Her answers to the questions which I asked were immediate and precise.

  Many years ago, Thimmakka worked as a labourer in a nearby quarry and her husband Chikkaiah was a cattle herder. Thimmakka said, “We were unable to beget children even after 25 years of marriage. Saddened, we decided to plant Banyan trees on the either side of the road and take care of them as our children.”

  Thus began an enduring journey of courage and passion to contribute to the ecosystem. The hundreds of Banyan trees which they planted for a length of 4 Kms on the either side of the road that leads to their village from Kudoor form a natural canopy providing shade to the travellers. The huge trees also provide food and shelter to many animals and birds. The couple not only planted the saplings but also took care of them by tirelessly carrying pots full of water from the nearby wells and ponds.

   She said, “We used to plant the trees during the rainy season so that the trees are able to get water naturally, they also sustain better in this season. After planting the saplings we also protected them by fencing them with thorny shrubs.”  After a brief pause she continued, “If somebody plucks some leaves from the trees to feed the cattle or cut any branches, I feel pain because I have spent my life taking care of them.”

 In 1991 her husband Chikkaiah died, now she lives in a small house in her village with her adopted son Umesh.

 As the years passed Thimmakka became a household name. Hundreds of articles have appeared about her in many popular newspapers and magazines. There are also stories about her in many school textbooks.  A recipient of hundreds of awards, Thimmakka has been honoured with the prestigious National Citizen’s Award of India for her selfless works in the field of environment. A U.S environmental organization based in Los Angeles and Oakland, California called ‘Thimmakka’s Resources for Environmental Education is named after her.’

Thimmakka said, “The government gifted us a house recently in LIG colony Suryanagar II Phase in Iglur. Beyond that there has been no other help from their side. People honour me and give some money along with some gifts in the functions this takes care of my livelihood.”

Moinuddin said, “When I said to Thimmakka that I will return after a few days, she said that if you come back after a long time I may not live that long.  To which I replied with a big smile, “You have the blessings of the whole nation, you will live for a hundred more years.”

                  Saalumarada means a “row of trees” in Kannada