Mother of Trees' Tulasi Gowda dies, Modi pays tribute to guiding light for green conservation

Renowned environmentalist and Padma Shri awardee Tulsi Gowda, also known as the "Mother of Trees," passed away on Monday evening at her home in Honnali village, Ankola Taluk, Uttara Kannada district.

- HT Correspondent

BENGALURU: She was 86 years old and had been unwell for the past few months after she suffered a stroke.

Gowda's life and legacy are a testament to her dedication to environmental conservation. During her 60-year career, she planted and nurtured more than one lakh trees, leaving an indelible mark on Karnataka's forests and biodiversity. Despite being illiterate, her extraordinary self-taught knowledge of plant species and ecosystems earned her respect and recognition as an "Encyclopedia of Plants."

Born in 1944 to Narayana and Neeli, Gowda belonged to the indigenous Halakki community of the state. Her profound connection with nature began at a young age. At 12, she developed a keen understanding of plants and their ecosystems, eventually dedicating her life to preserving forests. She started working as a daily wage labourer in the Karnataka forest department's nursery, where her passion for nurturing plants became evident.