Saalumarada Thimmakka, celebrated environmentalist and Padma Shri award winner, passed away in Bengaluru on Friday.

The centenarian was ailing for some time and was hospitalised for treatment where she breathed her last.

Thimmakka earned the fame ‘Saalumarada’ after she planted 385 banyan trees all along the 4.5-km stretch between Hulikal and Kudur in Bengaluru South district.

With no formal education, Thimmakka started the plantation campaign as she treated plants as her children to fill the void in life for being childless.

Thimmakka, fondly called 'Vrukshamate' (mother of trees), was known for her lifelong commitment to afforestation and ecological conservation.

(With PTI inputs)

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