World Environment Day

An umbrella over earth (Bhoomikkoru- kuda) and Thimmakka

Today (5th June 2010) will be no more than just a day that will fall after 4th; because it is ‘The World Environment Day’. The last chance we have got to hear the cry of our mother earth. In accordance with the global celebrations; here in Kerala; Malayala Manorama -the leading daily and Kerala Forest Department have jointly decided to launch a scheme named ‘Bhoomikkoru kuda’ (an umbrella over earth). Throughout the state; the slogan ‘One man to plant one tree’ will be heard calling one person to plant and nurture one tree; there by holding millions of umbrellas over the parched land. It is hoped that the wide influence of leading publisher joining hands with resourceful Kerala Forest Department may garner public participation paving way for efficient execution of the project.

Social Forestry

About 15 years back the Forest Department of Kerala launched a scheme by name ‘Social Forestry’ and spent millions; all ended up as mere farce. Those planted saplings were non-indigenous varieties of trees like eucalyptus, acacia etc which turned out to be a bigger problem. On the congested roadsides of Kerala these trees still stand as nightmares. Those tall and weak rooted eucalyptus trees go on falling on electric lines and nearby building at the blow of a breeze creating blackouts and loss of lives. People living nearby spent sleepless nights thinking which tree may fall on which ones roof-top. The acacia trees their profuse allergic pollens create allergies and asthma to poor residents! It is hoped even at this time they may avoid past blunders.

Just for attaining target

It seems strange what motivated the officials to select those useless trees for planting in this state; as it was government money on their disposal; they would have thought it fit to experiment anything. If a tree does not give cool shade, fodder to animals, or bear fruits or good timber; it is not worth to be planted; not to talk about if they are causing diseases and havocs! That sapling planted under and electric line was sure to create problems when it grows; here for lack of space –Kerala being a crowded state- officials were forced to achieve targets by planting whatever saplings supplied at wherever there was space; whether it was below an electric line did not matter!

A name fast forgotten

Thimmakka Chikkaiyah was an ordinary woman – an illiterate quarry worker and her husband (Bikkalu Chikkaiyah); a cattle herder; the couple had no children as their own. The old lady decided to plant banyan trees on the three km barren roadsides along the Kudur – Hulikal State Highway that passed nearby their hut. That poor couple had no resources like Kerala Forest Department but had a farsightedness; the Forest officials lacked. After years of dedicated efforts they planted 400 saplings of banyan trees; of which three hundred grew up and the rest fell to stray cattle and marauders. This happened despite all the protection they offered to the saplings like raising fence around them. They lugged water from wells located kilometers away on all summer-days to ensure the plants’ survival.

A proud mother

All these happened 60 long years back; at present Timmakka is a proud mother of surviving 284 huge banyan trees standing proudly along the sides of Kudur – Hulikal National highway giving rich shade to the passers by. Her husband Bikkalu Chikkaiyah (affectionately called Chikkanna) had died years back and she lives alone in her humble hut in a small plot of land awarded by the Government of Karnataka. After her selfless efforts were brought to the notice of the outside world; many awards and accolades came in search of the poor woman - who became famous in synonym ‘Saalumarada Thimmakka’ meaning Thimmakka of rows of trees. She in her old age is still invited for many eco -programs held in nearby places and still active in construction of tanks for rainwater harvesting. Media persons often talk about how much thousands these trees are worth now but for Thimmakka they are not commodities to be valued; these being her own siblings.

She too has a dream

Thimmakka standing proudly in front of the trees she planted

She cherishes a dream of constructing a hospital in her native village; as the nearest hospital is eight km away many of her neighbors die on way to hospital. “If you get a rebirth what life you wished to be reborn” is a common question asked to her by the visitors especially media persons; to which she has a simple and straightforward answer; “I wish to be born as a banyan tree”; because all her surviving 284 children are banyan trees! (Hindus believe in rebirths and as per books the soul is eternal and that is allowed to take many physical lives as old clothes are discarded for new; one person may get a series of rebirths as animals, plants or any living form)

Tail-piece

In many of the literatures that appear in the media encouraging people to plant trees, in connection with The World Environment Day, benefits of trees of environment etc no where any mention of this grand old Indian lady seems to have appeared; hence the author dedicates this article to that grand old Thimmakka and her late husband Chikkanna; who planted those saplings, built fence around them and lugged bucket full of water for ensuring the survival of those blessed trees; which act as an abode for many birds and small animals which build nest on them and feed on its Fruits. Banyan trees bear abundant small fruits; being not consumed by human beings; are left for birds, ants and squirrels etc to eat. These trees are considered sacred by Hindus for many reasons; one of them may be that its fruits are for the animal life.