Environmentalist and Padma Shri Awardee Saalumarada Thimmakka Dies at 114

Renowned environmentalist Saalumarada Thimmakka, affectionately known as 'Vruksha Mata' (Mother of Trees), passed away at the age of 114 in Bengaluru from age-related ailments. A recipient of the Padma Shri in 2019, Thimmakka was celebrated for her selfless work planting and nurturing over 385 banyan trees along a 4.5 km highway in Karnataka, in addition to nearly 8,000 other trees. She began this lifelong mission with her husband after being unable to have children, leaving an enduring legacy of environmental conservation.