Coimbatore: Giving a huge boost to the conservation activities carried out the Singanallur Lake, Padma Shri Saalumarada Thimmaka, the 107-year-old who planted 385 banyan trees along the Hulikal and Kudur Highway in Karnataka, planted a special banyan sapling at the Singanallur Lake bund on Sunday.
Coimbatore: Giving a huge boost to the conservation activities carried out the Singanallur Lake, Padma Shri Saalumarada Thimmaka, the 107-year-old who planted 385 banyan trees along the Hulikal and Kudur Highway in Karnataka, planted a special banyan sapling at the Singanallur Lake bund on Sunday.
Called as the “Mother of Trees”, the inspirational woman of Karnataka who had planted nearly 8000 trees in her village all her life also shared her story with kids and volunteers at the lake, inspiring them to create a greener Coimbatore.
Unable to bear a child, Thimmakka gave up her life when she was forty. It was then that she started to plant saplings and look after them like her own children.
“I chose banyan trees because these trees provide good fruits for the birds and also give a cool under for those who sit under them,” she said.
Not one, but 385 banyan saplings is what Thimmakka planted along the four kilo meter stretch of the Hulikal-Kudur Highway. It was not just the planting part that has made her who she is now.
Thimmakka had to fetch water in pots, carry it on her head and hip, and water all the 385 saplings to help them grow into big banyan trees. This is how she had helped grow 8000 trees in her village being a laborer. Her services were recognised by the Central Government last month, when they bestowed upon her the Padma Shri award.
Thimmakka who was in Coimbatore today to inaugurate Damarugam, an art school to help children learn various skills, also planted a special Banyan (Ficus Drupacea) sapling at the lake bund. It may be noted that Forest Man of India Jadhav Payeng also planted a sapling at the Lake in January this year.
Speaking during the event, Umesh, the adopted son of Thimmakka appreciated the conservation activities carried out by volunteers at the Singanallur Lake.
“It is not easy to live without nature, yet people are disrespecting nature. Either they should work in the field or help those who stand for the cause,” he said.
He further pondered that despite offering exemplary service to nature, activists were still leading simple lifestyles. Umesh himself had planted more than one lakh saplings so far and has won National Award for his service.
They interacted with students, volunteers and members of organisations including Centre of Urban Biodiversity and Conservation, Vanathukkul Tirupur, Vanam India, Koushika River Rejuvenation Organisation and Residents Awareness Association of Coimbatore.