Centenarian environmentalist Saalumarada Thimmakka laid to rest with full state honour
Bengaluru (PTI): Padma Shri recipient ‘Saalumarada’ Thimmakka was laid to rest with full state honour here on Saturday.
The 114-year-old environmentalist, who earned the reputation of ‘Vruksha Maate’ (Mother of Trees) had passed away in a private hospital on Friday owing to old age related ailments.
Born on June 30, 1911, Thimmakka earned the fame ‘Saalumarada’ after she planted 385 banyan trees all along the 4.5 km stretch between Hulikal and Kudur in Ramanagara headquartered Bengaluru South district.
With no formal education, Thimmakka started the plantation campaign as she treated them as her children to fill the void in her life as childless woman.
The last rites were performed according to the Lingayat tradition at Kalagrama in Jnana Bharathi campus in Bengaluru.
Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara, Forest Minister Eshwar Khandre several MLAs were among those present when her body was lowered into the grave.
"An award will be instituted in the name of Saalumarada Thimmakka," Khandre said after paying his last respects to Thimmakka here.
He said the state has lost a devoted guardian of the environment who inspired lakhs of people through her lifelong commitment to nurturing trees.
He noted that hundreds of citizens continue to plant and take care of saplings, drawing inspiration from her work.
"As a mark of tribute, 114 saplings will be planted and nurtured at 114 locations across Karnataka, symbolising each year of Thimmakka’s life," the Minister said.
He recalled that the forest department had earlier honoured her as an 'Environment Ambassador'.
Khandre said ‘Vruksha Maate’ Thimmakka had set an example by caring for trees with ‘maternal affection’ and taking the message of conservation to the world.
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Elephant calf brought from Bijnor kept under care at Pilibhit Tiger Reserve
Pilibhit (PTI): A 19-day-old elephant calf, brought from Bijnor, was placed under care at the Pilibhit Tiger Reserve (PTR) on Sunday, an official said and added that the calf got separated from its mother in the forest area of Bijnor.
The calf was born on December 2 in the Bijnor forest area and got separated from its mother shortly after birth, the official said.
The forest department made several attempts to reunite it with its mother, but without any success. To ensure the calf's safety and better care, it was decided to transfer it to the Pilibhit Tiger Reserve on the instructions of senior officials.
On Saturday, Deputy Director Manish Singh received the calf. Special arrangements have been made in the reserve for its care. It has been kept in a safe and clean environment to provide it with a natural setting and protect it from external noise and disturbances.
Singh told reporters that raising an 19-day-old calf is challenging.
It requires a special diet as a substitute for mother's milk and constant monitoring.
He said a special team has been formed to provide 24-hour care. Since the calf is very young, it is being cared for like a newborn baby.
According to Singh, the primary responsibility for monitoring the calf's health has been entrusted to PTR's veterinarian, Dr Daksh Gangwar. Under his supervision, a complete record of the calf's health checkups, diet, and body temperature is being maintained. The team is ensuring that the calf does not contract any infection.
