Living a life deeply connected to forests and dedicating oneself to the protection of nature is the true meaning of greatness—an idea embodied by Tulsi Gowda, widely known as the “Forest Encyclopedia.”
Born in Honnali, Gowda belongs to the Halakki Vokkaliga tribal community. Despite losing her father at a young age and never receiving formal education, she developed an extraordinary understanding of forests, plants, and biodiversity.
Over the decades, Gowda dedicated her life to protecting the environment by planting and nurturing hundreds of thousands of trees across the region. Her deep knowledge of plant species and forest ecosystems earned her the affectionate titles “Forest Encyclopedia” and “Vriksha Mata” (Mother of Trees).
In recognition of her remarkable contribution to environmental conservation, she was honored with the prestigious Padma Shri in 2021 by the Government of India.
When Gowda attended the award ceremony, she captured the nation’s attention for her simplicity. She arrived barefoot, dressed in traditional tribal attire with simple ornaments, reflecting her lifelong connection to nature rather than ceremony.
