Tulsi Gowda, the ‘Encyclopedia of Forests,’ Passes Away

Tulsi Gowda, affectionately known as the “Tree Goddess,” was an environmentalist from Karnataka celebrated for her exceptional dedication to afforestation and ecological preservation. Born in 1944 in Honnali village, Uttara Kannada district, she overcame personal and financial hardships to emerge as a symbol of environmental conservation. Her tireless efforts, including planting over 1 lakh trees, earned her the Padma Shri award in 2021. Her passing on December 16, 2024, marked the end of an era but left behind an inspiring legacy.

Key Highlights

Early Life

• Birth: 1944 in Honnali village, Ankola taluk, Uttara Kannada district.
• Challenges: Lost her father at age two and grew up in poverty, working alongside her mother as a day laborer.
• Lack of Education: Never received formal schooling but became an autodidact with remarkable forest knowledge.

Career and Contributions

• Early Work: Started at a forest nursery, caring for seeds in the Karnataka Forest Department’s Agasur project.
• Employment: Worked as a daily wage worker for 35 years before gaining a permanent position at the forest department.

Forest Conservation

• Planted and nurtured over 1 lakh trees across Karnataka.
• Contributed to strengthening one community reserve, five tiger reserves, 15 conservation reserves, and 30 wildlife sanctuaries.
• Prevented poaching and mitigated forest fires.

Recognition and Awards

• Padma Shri (2021): Honored for her unparalleled contributions to environmental conservation.
• Title: Revered as the “Tree Goddess” and “Encyclopedia of Forest” by the Halakki tribal community.

Legacy

• Guiding Light: Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed her as an enduring inspiration for environmental conservation.
• Impact: Her work serves as a blueprint for ecological preservation, inspiring generations to protect nature.

Summary/Static	Details
Why in the news?	Tulsi Gowda, the ‘Encyclopedia of Forests,’ Passes Away
Community	Halakki tribal community, referred to as the “Tree Goddess”
Early Challenges	Lost father at age 2; grew up in poverty; no formal education
Career Start	Worked as a day laborer with her mother at a forest nursery
Employment	Worked 35 years as a daily wage laborer; later gained a permanent position in forest dept.
Key Contributions	– Planted and nurtured over 1 lakh trees – Strengthened 1 community reserve, 5 tiger reserves, 15 conservation reserves – Contributed to 30 wildlife sanctuaries – Prevented poaching and mitigated forest fires
Recognition	– Padma Shri (2021) for environmental conservation – Known as the “Encyclopedia of Forests”
Death	December 16, 2024, at age 86, due to age-related ailments
Legacy	– Remembered as a guiding light for environmental conservation – PM Narendra Modi praised her as an enduring inspiration for protecting nature