The problem with the modern world is that we work for credit more than the result. Whether we are at the office, home, or anywhere else, we tend to do everything either for validation or public response. The question is, what do we do when we are alone, away from the public eye? This is what defines our character as a person. The people who do something with a motive without seeking any validation or reward in return for their work are the ones who change society, the country, and the world. Greatness is not restricted to any gender, class, age, financial status, or monetary benefits. Since we have been talking a lot about women and their contribution to society.
The environment has given us everything starting from fresh air to water. Our actions in the name of development and construction have led to large-scale devastation and wiping out useful resources. To undo the damage, a large-scale and well-collaborated effort is required. While we all await such efforts from different governments, several individuals have risen to the occasion to do something on their part.
This blog is dedicated to six such inspirational women and their laudable spirits.
Saalumarada Thimakka:
Saalumarada Thimakka is one such personality who should’ve found a mention in all the schools’ course books for the commendable work that she has done towards the conservation of the environment. However, only after she received Padma Shri in 2019 did the country know about her praise-worthy tasks. Thimakka is fondly called the ‘mother of trees.’ The 106-year-old is the world’s oldest environmentalist. She has planted over 8,000 trees in 80 years apart from a series of 385 banyan trees along a 4km stretch from her village Hulikal to Kuduro.
Sugathakumari:
Sugathakumari was an Indian poet and activist who dedicated her poem to nature and preserving the environment. She spearheaded the ‘Save Silent Valley’ movement and played an instrumental role in protecting the natural forests in Kerala that faced the risk of getting razed to construct a hydroelectric plant. Sugathakumari was also the founder secretary of Prakrithi Samrakshan Samithi. She was the first to receive the Indira Priyadarshini VrikshaMitra Award.
Jamuna Tudu:
Another inspirational face from rural India, Jamuna Tudu is also known as the ‘Lady Tarzan.’ The 40-year-old environmental activist started working towards forest conservation at the age of 14 in Jharkhand. She bravely took on the timber mafia and Naxals and Maturkhan village, a rural part of Jharkhand. She formed a forest protection group with 100 Adivasi women. These women patrol the forests with sticks, arrows, and other weapons to fight the mafia if the need arises. Jamuna Tudu has saved over 50 acres of forest and now gets help from the central armed forces. She was conferred with the prestigious Padma Shri award in 2019.
Vandana Shiva:
It is very much possible that you have heard of the famous Chipko movement that was started to prevent forests and protest against tree cutting. Vandan Shiva was the driving force behind the movement. The 68-year-old activist documented forest activists’ work, including her father, for the conservation of forests. She also opposed the Green revolution and the use of genetically modified crops. She is an international activist who carries out research in the field of environment conservation.
Sunita Narain:
Indian environmentalist and activist Sunita Narain is the editor of Down to Earth Magazine, covering all the topics related to environment conservation. She is known for her work towards the rainwater harvesting policy and got the World Water Award. Apart from this, Sunita is a recipient of the prestigious Padma Shri and the Stockholm Water Prize. She was also a part of the ‘Before the Flood’ documentary.
Pappamal:
105-year-old Pappamal is the latest addition to the list of most influential environmental activists who received the prestigious Padma Shri Award by the President of India. Hailing from Thekkampatti village in Tamil Nadu, Pappamal, also fondly known as R Rangama, has been working towards environmental conservation and organic farming for the past 70 years. Even after completing 100 years of her life, Pappamal works in her field with full dedication. She has also been in politics when she served as a ward member of her village.
