Saalumarada Thimmakka along with her husband raised nearly 8,000 trees and became the ‘Mother of Trees’ in India. Unable to have children, Salumarada Thimmaka and her husband poured all their love into raising trees. Their work has transformed the barren road into a green lifeline and earned it the nickname “Mother of Trees.” (Photo: Wikimedia Commons)
Saalumarada Thimmakka was born in Tumakuru district of Karnataka. She grew up in poverty, received no formal education, and worked as a quarry worker. Years later, its life has evolved into one of India’s greatest environmental legacies. (Image: Wikipedia)
After years of marriage, Thimaka and Czechia remained childless. They channeled their love and sorrow into nurturing the trees, raising each sapling with the care they would give a child. (Photo: Wikimedia)
The couple reportedly started with 10 banyan saplings. Chikaya dug the pits, while Thimaka carried water from distant wells. Together they protected the seedlings from drought, livestock and harsh summers. (Photo: Instagram/@hubballi_city)
Years of their care have transformed a barren 4.5-kilometre stretch between Holikal and Cuddur into an boulevard of 385 banyan trees, bringing shade and life to the road. Over the decades, Thimmakka has nurtured more than 8,000 trees across Karnataka. They cooled the land, sheltered birds and wildlife, supported biodiversity, and inspired local communities to plant their own trees. (Photo: Instagram/
@ranjanigayatri)
When Chikaya died in 1991, Thimaka continued his career alone. Planting trees evolved from a shared act of love into her life’s goal, and she has continued to nurture them for decades. (Photo: Instagram/@priyakrishna.official)
Saalumarada Thimmakka has received a National Citizen Award, a Padma Shri, an honorary doctorate and a place in the BBC’s 100 Women list. She died on November 14, 2025, at the age of 114. (Photo: Wikimedia)
