Tulasi Gowda, a tribal woman from Karnataka, was conferred the Padma Shri award in 2020 for her contribution to the protection of the environment.
Social Work
She belongs to the Halakki indigenous tribe. She never received a formal education, and yet, today she is known as the 'Encyclopedia of the Forest'.
This is because of her vast knowledge of diverse species of plants and herbs.
Since the age of 12, she has planted and nurtured thousands of trees. She also joined the forest department as a temporary volunteer, where she was recognised for her dedication to nature preservation.
She was later offered a permanent job in the department.
Even at the age of 72, she continues to nurture plants and share her vast knowledge with the younger generation to promote the importance of environmental conservation.
