Tulsi Gowda, Padma Shri awardee, and renowned environmentalist known as the ‘Vruksha Maate’ (Mother of Trees), passed away on Monday (December 16, 2024) at her residence in Karnataka’s Honnali village, Ankola Taluk, Uttara Kannada district. She was 86 and had been suffering from age-related ailments.
Gowda, who came from the Karnataka village of Honnali, looked after the forest department’s nurseries and planted over 30,000 saplings.
Gowda, a member of the Halakki Tribal in Karnataka, is referred to as the Encyclopaedia of Forest because of her extensive knowledge of a wide variety of plant and herb species. She was an environmentalist from Karnataka who planted over 30,000 saplings and has been active in environmental conservation efforts for the past 60 years.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday condoled the demise of environmentalist and Padma Awardee Tulsi Gowda, saying her work will continue to inspire generations to protect our planet.
In a post on X, Prime Minister Modi said, “Deeply saddened by the passing of Smt Tulsi Gowda Ji, a revered environmentalist from Karnataka and Padma Awardee. She dedicated her life to nurturing nature, planting thousands of saplings, and conserving our environment. She will remain a guiding light for environmental conservation. Her work will continue to inspire generations to protect our planet. Condolences to her family and admirers. Om Shanti.”
Gowda an environmentalist from Karnataka planted more than 30,000 saplings and has been involved in environmental conservation activities for the past six decades. She was conferred with the Padma Shri award in 2021.
Gowda belongs to the Halakki Tribal in Karnataka and is also known as the ‘Encyclopedia of Forest’ due to her vast knowledge of diverse species of plants and herbs.
(inputs from ANI)
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Who was Tulsi Gowda? Padma Shri awardee environmentalist, ‘Encyclopedia of Forest’, who died at 86
