The Barefoot Conservationist: Tulsi Gowda’s Walk with the Wild

In the heart of Karnataka, where the shadows of the Western Ghats stretch far and wide, lives a guardian of the green. Tulsi Gowda, known as the “Encyclopedia of the Forest,” embodies the spirit of the earth in every breath she takes. Her life, deeply intertwined with the soil, is more than just a tale of a woman planting trees—it is a profound saga of survival, wisdom, and an indomitable bond with nature.

Tulsi Gowda’s journey began in hardship. Born into the Halakki Vokkaliga tribe in Karnataka’s Honnalli village, she lost her father at the tender age of two. Poverty soon followed, forcing her to start working alongside her mother in a local nursery. “I did not play with dolls; I played with mud, leaves, and seeds,” she recalls, her eyes gleaming with the memory of her first sapling【1】【2】. Married before her teens, like many girls in her community, her path was carved by traditions and responsibilities. Yet, her connection with nature became her refuge and calling.

A Bond with the Forest: More Than Knowledge

For Tulsi Amma, the forest wasn’t just a place of work—it was home, a sanctuary. Starting from a very young age, she began caring for plants, and over time, her knowledge of Karnataka’s native flora blossomed. It wasn’t academic knowledge, yet her understanding of the forest’s rhythms surpassed that of many who studied in classrooms. The people in her tribe call her the “Tree Goddess,” a title well-earned for her ability to understand the “mother trees”—those critical to reforestation efforts【3】【4】.

Her work at the Karnataka Forest Department began as a temporary volunteer, but it quickly became permanent when her talent for nurturing seeds and plants became clear. Over the next six decades, Gowda planted more than one lakh trees, a figure that continues to grow【5】【6】. Her impact extended from community forests to tiger reserves, all contributing to Karnataka’s rich biodiversity【7】. “The trees I plant, I know them like my children. I cannot explain how, but I speak the language of the forest,” she once said. It’s a connection so deep that even researchers marveled at her ability to recognize the best seeds and know the perfect time to plant them【4】【8】.

The Power of One: Overcoming Hardship and Advocating for Change

Despite never having formal schooling, Tulsi Gowda’s understanding of the environment positioned her as a powerful force in her community. She worked closely with government officials and environmentalists on numerous conservation campaigns. One of her notable achievements was her role in protecting the Western Ghats from a hydroelectric dam project that threatened large stretches of forest. Her resistance and that of other activists eventually led to the abandonment of the project【9】.

Tulsi Gowda’s advocacy didn’t stop at environmental protection. She fought for the rights of indigenous communities and women. When a member of her tribe was threatened by a local landowner, Gowda stepped forward, ensuring that justice was served. This act of courage earned her even more respect within her community【10】【4】.

Her leadership in promoting gender equality also shines through. In a world where women’s voices are often sidelined, Gowda stood as a strong advocate for the women in her tribe, demonstrating that the power to effect change resides in every individual【9】.

Teaching the Next Generation: Her Mission Lives On

Even in her 80s, Tulsi Gowda has not slowed down. She continues to walk barefoot through the forests she knows so well, teaching the next generation about conservation. Children gather around her as she explains how to plant and nurture trees, passing on the lessons that were taught to her by her mother so many decades ago. “Let children plant seeds and care for them,” she often tells them【4】【5】.

Her dedication to educating the younger generation speaks to her vision for the future. She believes that protecting the environment is not a solitary task but a responsibility for all. Her work with schools, farmers, and communities to promote sustainable farming and water conservation exemplifies this belief【9】.

A Global Inspiration: Recognition and Humility

In 2021, Tulsi Gowda was awarded the Padma Shri, one of India’s highest civilian honors, for her extraordinary contributions to the environment【6】【11】. The image of her walking barefoot into the Durbar Hall of the Rashtrapati Bhavan to receive the award from President Ram Nath Kovind became a symbol of humility and dedication【5】【12】. Dressed in traditional tribal attire, she paused to greet Prime Minister Modi before accepting the award, a reminder that her life is firmly rooted in the simplicity and grace of the earth【5】【11】.

Despite the recognition, Gowda remains the same woman she has always been—humble, determined, and deeply connected to the land. International organizations like the United Nations have invited her to speak on global platforms, where her story has inspired many【9】. Yet, she prefers the quiet of her village, where she continues to plant and nurture the trees she loves so dearly.

A Legacy Rooted in the Earth

Tulsi Gowda’s legacy is not just the trees she has planted but the deep understanding of nature that she has shared with the world. Her efforts to promote organic farming, water conservation, and sustainable living have shaped the way communities approach environmental protection【9】. She has trained local farmers in sustainable practices, ensuring that her wisdom will live on in the hands of future generations【9】.

Her story, one of resilience, humility, and profound connection to nature, serves as an inspiration to us all. As the world grapples with climate change and environmental degradation, her message is clear: the power to change the world lies in every individual, regardless of their background, education, or resources.

References

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4. Tulasi Gowda - SheThePeople, accessed at SheThePeople

5. Meet environmentalist Tulsi Gowda, who collected her Padma Shri award barefooted - LiveMint, accessed at LiveMint

6. Meet the tree-lover Tulsi Gowda, who walked barefoot to receive Padma Shri - Telangana Today, accessed at Telangana Today

7. Art to Conservation: 6 Incredible Women Who Won the Padma Shri - Outlook Traveller, accessed at Outlook Traveller

8. Tulsi Gowda: Barefoot Ecologist Brings Forests to Life - The Beacon, accessed at The Beacon

9. Padma Shri Tulsi Gowda: Protecting Biodiversity and Promoting Sustainability in the Western Ghats - The Critical Script, accessed at The Critical Script

10. Padma Shri Tulsi Gowda Is Proof That Age Is No Barrier To Changing The World - SheThePeople, accessed at SheThePeople

11. Padma Shri Tulsi Gowda Is Proof That Age Is No Barrier To Changing The World - SheThePeople, accessed at SheThePeople

12. Padma Shri Tulsi Gowda: A Symbol of Hope for the Forests - LiveMint, accessed at LiveMint

13. Image source - india.mongabay.com