Introduction: the internet based lesson “the Green Champion – Thimmakka” is an inspiring
Topic. It depicts the magnificent achievements of an ordinary women with an extraordinary
commitment to conserve nature.
Context: the write up shows the efforts that an ordinary womans selfless and excellent
service in preserving and protecting the environment.
Explanation: Thimmakka from Karnataka was born poor, uneducated, worked as coolie. She
worked hard since her childhood. She was married to Bikkala Chikkayya. She wanted to end
her life as she couldn’t conceive. Later the couple came up with idea of planting the saplings
and nurturing them as their own children. Thus, this work became their purpose of life.
The couple started planting the trees inntheir village in a strech of 4 km. They planted 10
banyan saplings innthe first year and the number increased to 400 and 8000 other trees over
80 years. they not only planted but fenced, watered and guarded them.
After the death of Chikkayya her income source was 500/- as pension. Her financial
conditions didn’t stop her from the mission for which she received many awards including
Padmasri, an Environmental Organization of US named after her as ‘Thimmakka’s resources
for Environment. She was titled as ‘Saalumarada’ and became a role model to the entire
world with her achivements.
The noble work of preserving the environment was taken forward by her foster son Sri. B.N.
Umesh. He distributed plants and helped the farmers who were interested I growing trees.
Conclusion: Thimmakka is an individual who brought world wide recognition to Karnataka
through her incredible and huge services to safeguard environment. She says that ” Even
one saplings each could make the world a better place for our children
The Green champion-Thimmakka, Thimmakka a women more than 100 years in age from
Karnataka, has been praised globally as the green champion for her tree planting mission.
Thimmakka was born poor in Hulikal village of karnataka. She never had the opportunity to
go to school. She started working at an early age as a labourer. Later she was married to
Bikkala Chikayya who was also a labourer. Unfortunately, the couple were not blessed with
children. She was dishearted and thought to end her life, but she realized soon the true
purpose of her life, so she changed her decision. To fill the emptiness in their lives, the
couple decided to plant banyan trees and raise them as their own kids.
Her husband was very cooperative. The couple Thimmakka and Chikkayya, started planting
trees in their village in a stretch of 4kms. They planted 10 banyan saplings in the first year
and increased the number year after year. the couple not only planted them but tendered
them to maturity. Both of them used to carry four buckets of water for a distance of 4 Kms to
water the saplings. Now, there are around 400 banyan trees in the area, apart from banyan
trees, she planted over 8000 other trees in over 80 years. Her husband, Chikkaya too had
devoted his life towards nature and patrolled the stretch of the trees and kept the cattle away
from them .
She had become the international icon for the conservation of the environment. She
received many awards and brought international recognization for the Indians, but she has
remained poor and living on her Rs 500 pension. The U.S environment organization
changed its name as “Thimmakka’s Resources For Environmental Education” in honour of
Thimmakka. She had good intentions and responsibilities toward the well-being of the
environment as well as society.
Thimmakka’s foster son, Shri Umesh B.N Umesh has been planting and tending trees along
the roads, schools, public places, and on the mountains and hilltops. He is also running
successfully “PRITHVI BACHAVO” movement. He has his own nursery and distributes plants
to the farmers who are interested in growing plants. Thimmakka received many awards,
including the Padma Shri by the Indian government in 2019.
Plant and protect the trees. They will protect you and your environment. Thimmakka says,“
Even one sapling each, could make the world a better place for our children”
Thus, Thimmakka started her life and work in humble manners, got name through her tree
planting mission. She is a true inspiration to us.
“A tree planted; a life nurtured.”
