The environmentalist and Padma Shri awardee Tulsi Gowda, passed away recently from age-related ailments in Honnali village of Ankola taluk in Uttara Kannada district, Karnataka. She was 86. She was revered as the “tree goddess” by the Halakki tribal community.

About Tulsi Gowda

Early Life and Struggles:

• Born in 1944 in Honnali village, Karnataka.
• Lost her father at the age of two and grew up in poverty.
• Began working as a day laborer at a forest nursery with her mother, foregoing formal education.

Self-Taught Environmentalist:

• Despite lacking formal education, Gowda became an autodidact with unparalleled knowledge of forests.
• Known for her ability to identify mother trees and care for seeds crucial for afforestation projects.

Key Contributions

Career in Forest Conservation:

• Worked for 35 years as a daily wage laborer at a forest nursery.
• Later, earned a permanent position at the Karnataka Forest Department, where she served for another 15 years.
• Played a pivotal role in afforestation, preventing poaching, and mitigating forest fires.

Planting Trees and Preserving Ecosystems:

• Credited with planting and nurturing over 1 lakh trees across Karnataka.
• Her efforts contributed to the preservation of – 1 community reserve, 5 tiger reserves, 15 conservation reserves and 30 wildlife sanctuaries
• Strengthened diverse ecosystems and protected wildlife.

Cultural and Environmental Impact:

• Known as the “Encyclopaedia of Forests” due to her vast knowledge of forestry.
• Endearingly called the “Tree Goddess” by her Halakki tribal community.

Recognition and Honors: In 2021, she was conferred the Padma Shri, India’s fourth highest civilian awards, for her exceptional contributions to environmental conservation.