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| 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.
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| 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
