Padma Shri Awardee 'Vrikshamata' Tulsi Gowda passes away
Ankola: Tulsi Gowda, popularly known as the 'Vrikshamata' (Mother of Trees), passed away at the age of 86 at her home due to age related ailments in Honnalli village, Ankola taluk, on Monday evening.
Tulsi js survived by two children and four grandchildren.
Tulsi Gowda earned her nickname by planting and nurturing millions of trees over decades, dedicating her life to environmental conservation. Known for planting over thirty thousand saplings annually, she contributed significantly to reforesting barren lands and promoting greenery. Her efforts earned her the prestigious Padma Shri Award from the Indian government.
Despite facing personal challenges, including losing her husband at a young age and raising two children as a widow, Tulsi joined the Forest Department as a daily wage worker. Her passion for nature turned her job into a lifelong mission. She collected seeds, cultivated saplings, and reforested vast areas, which led to her becoming a symbol of environmental dedication.
Tulsi Gowda, a member of the Halakki tribal community, possessed remarkable knowledge of trees, their uses, and their care. Her expertise surpassed that of many professionals, and forest scientists often marveled at her understanding of sapling production and seed care. She grew trees like mango, banyan, and jackfruit while promoting eco-friendly species to combat environmental degradation.
Her selfless commitment to the environment extended beyond her retirement. Even in her later years, she continued nurturing plants in the forests near her home. Visitors from across the state sought her guidance and inspiration, recognizing her as a beacon of environmental consciousness.
Tulsi Gowda's contributions were celebrated with numerous accolades, including the Indira Priyadarshini Vriksha Mitra Award, the Karnataka Rajyotsava Award (1999), Smt. Kavita Memorial award, Indavalu H. Honnaiah social service Award and several other honors for her tireless work in environmental conservation. She continued her mission even while living a modest life, relying on a small pension and the support of her two sons, who work as laborers.
Tulsi often expressed concern over the environmental degradation caused by modern practices like the widespread planting of acacia, which she believed harmed groundwater levels. She advocated for the cultivation of traditional, eco-friendly trees, urging society to prioritize sustainable practices.
Tulsi Gowda's legacy lives on in the countless trees she planted and the lives she inspired to protect the environment for future generations.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Dragging Gaurav's family, children into 'Pak link' allegation by Assam CM wrong politics: Priyanka
Guwahati (PTI): Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Friday criticised Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma for attacking Gaurav Gogoi over alleged Pakistan links, asserting that dragging his family and children into it is "wrong politics".
After paying homage to Zubeen Garg at his cremation ground 'Zubeen Khetra' at Sonapur on the outskirts of Guwahati, Vadra said the singer was "above politics" and spread the message of love throughout his life.
"There are two types of leaders in politics -- one who does positive politics and the other who does polarisation. Gaurav Gogoi is doing the politics of love," she said when asked about Sarma's repeated attacks on the Assam Congress chief over alleged Pakistan links.
Vadra asserted that Gogoi is "a positive person, and wants to bring positivity in politics".
"That is why such attacks on him are taking place. People of Assam understand this. But the attacks on Gaurav and his family are the wrong politics. Nobody should attack the family and children (of a political leader)," Vadra said.
Instead of such politics, the Assam CM should "talk about the youth and women of the state, who are looking for jobs", the Wayanad MP said.
"You are seeing how much corruption is taking place. It is just a betrayal of the people of the state," she told reporters.
Talking about her visit to 'Zubeen Khetra' in the morning, Vadra said that she went to the cremation ground to pay her respect to the singer and not do any politics over it.
"Zubeen Garg was above politics. His cremation ground should be a sacred place and should not be used for politics," she added.
VIDEO | Guwahati: Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra (@priyankagandhi) says, "When we contest elections and talk about leadership in politics, there are two kinds of leaders. One is a positive leader — someone with a positive mindset. Such leaders tell you what they want to do for… pic.twitter.com/52z4HwRitg
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) February 20, 2026
