300 Trees Planted By 107-YO Conservationist Saalumarada Thimmakka Could Be Cut To Widen A Road

For Padma Shri Saalumarada Thimmakka, the trees she had planted and nurtured are like her children. The 107-year-old from Hulikal village in Karnataka began planting them to overcome the pain of not having children. And over time, she planted over 8,000 trees, including hundreds of banyan trees.

But now environmentalists and conservationist in Karnataka are up in arms against the government for its plans to cut some of them to widen a road.

BCCL

According to the proposal, some 300 trees planted Thimmakka will have to be axed for the widening of the between Kudur and Hulikal in Ramanagara district.

As expected, the news has not gone down well with environmental and Thimmakka herself, who has called for a protest against any such move.

The Centenarian who is living with her adopted son Umesh said she won't let the government touch the trees.

BCCL

Vijay Nishanth, a Bengaluru-based urban conservational and green crusader said they will not let the government go ahead with the proposal.?

"These trees are part of our heritage. Thimmakka is a legend and an inspiration to all of us. Forget about cutting these trees, we won't even let them come near the trees. There will be massive protests against the government and we will fight it to any level to save these trees," he said.

BCCL

Explaining the historical significance of trees in the local culture Nishanth said right from the days of the Kadamba dynasty in the first-century people there used to respect and take care of trees.

"What Thimmakka demonstrated through her life is not just about conservation, it is about co-existence. This is a great lesson for all of us. It is our duty to save these trees which are her legacy. This planet does not belong to us humans alone, it belongs to all the trees and animals too. So we will definitely fight to save these trees," he explained.?

Recognizing her distinguished service in the field of environment, earlier this year she was awarded the Padma Shri. Even while receiving the honor she made everyone smile after she blessed President Ram Nath Kovind.