Saalumarada Thimmakka Death: Who Was Padmashri Awardee And Environmentalist?

Saalumarada Thimmakka, a respected figure in environmental conservation, passed away on November 14, 2025, after health complications. Her significant legacy in tree planting and raising environmental awareness will inspire future generations.

Saalumarada Thimmakka, renowned for her dedication to environmental conservation, passed away on Friday at the age of 114. She was receiving treatment at a private hospital due to respiratory issues.

Thimmakka's health had been declining since October 2023 when she was admitted to Apollo Specialty Hospital. She was suffering from severe asthma exacerbations. Despite ongoing treatment, her condition did not improve, leading to her passing.

Health Challenges and Medical Interventions

In early October 2023, Thimmakka experienced severe chest pain. An angiogram revealed a blockage in the left anterior descending artery. Consequently, an angioplasty procedure was performed to address this issue. However, her health continued to deteriorate despite these medical interventions.

She gained fame for planting and nurturing hundreds of trees along a stretch of highway in Karnataka. Her efforts significantly contributed to increasing greenery in the region and raising awareness about environmental issues.

Who Was Saalumarada Thimmaka?

Born in Gubbi taluk, Tumkur, Thimmakka's journey to fame began as a labourer at a quarry, where she found solace in planting trees alongside her husband. Their mission to nurture and grow trees eventually led to Thimmakka planting an impressive 385 banyan trees and 8,000 other trees over the span of 80 years.

Her tireless dedication to environmental conservation earned her the prestigious Padma Shri award in 2019. Not having children of her own, she lovingly referred to her trees as her "green children."

In 1995, Thimmakka's contributions to the environment were officially recognized when she was awarded the National Citizen's Award of India. Her impact has also reached international shores, with a US-based environmental organization named "Thimmakka's Resources for Environmental Education" in Los Angeles and Oakland, California, in her honor. Additionally, the Central University of Karnataka bestowed an honorary doctorate upon Thimmakka in 2020 for her remarkable efforts in conservation.

After her husband's passed away in 1991, Thimmakka continued to devote herself to her passion for environmental preservation. She marked her 111th birthday on June 30, celebrated at Dr. BR Ambedkar Bhavan in Bengaluru, where she is lauded for planting trees along a 45-kilometer stretch of highway between Hulikal and Kudur. Nature enthusiasts have called for this stretch to be declared a conservation reserve.

In 2019, this stretch of trees faced the threat of being impacted by a proposed road-widening project. Thimmakka's tireless efforts bore fruit when she approached the then Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy and Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara, urging them to reconsider the project. Responding to her plea, the government explored alternatives to safeguard Thimmakka's beloved trees.