Tree crusader ‘Vanajeevi’ Ramaiah dies at 87
Padma Shri award-winning environmentalist Daripalli “Vanajeevi” Ramaiah, 87, died of a heart attack at his Pallegudem home early on Saturday.
Nalgonda: Padma Shri award-winning environmentalist Daripalli “Vanajeevi” Ramaiah, 87, died of a heart attack at his Pallegudem home early on Saturday. Family members rushed him to a Khammam hospital, where doctors pronounced him dead. The final rites will be held on Sunday in his native village.
Ramaiah, fondly called “Chetla Ramaiah”, spent decades expanding Telangana’s green cover, personally planting or inspiring the planting of more than one crore saplings. He famously sold his three-acre farm to fund seed and sapling purchases and travelled by bicycle to plant them, chanting “Vruksho Rakshati Rakshitaha” (“Protect trees and they will protect you”).
His story now features in Telangana’s Class 6 social studies text and Maharashtra’s Class 9 Telugu syllabus.
The 2017 Padma Shri recipient also earned an honorary doctorate from the Academy of Universal Global Peace and the Union government’s Vanaseva Award. He named his granddaughters after trees — Chandana Pushpa, Haritha Lavanya, Kabandha Pushpa and Vana Sri — to underscore his commitment to biodiversity.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi condoled the death of Ramaiah who would be remembered for ages as a man worked for stability of the Earth. “Future generations would continue to get inspiration from Ramaiah’s life,” Modi said.
Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy said that Ramaiah strongly believed that survival of mankind was impossible without nature and environment. “Ramaiah launched the plantation as an individual and influenced the entire society,” he said. The Padma Shri awardee inspired the youth by dedicating his life to environmental protection.
Former chief minister K. Chandrashekar Rao recalled how the contribution of the ‘tree man’ had inspired the then BRS government to launch the Haritha Haram scheme.
Union minister G. Kishan Reddy recalled that Ramaiah had planted over 1 crore saplings. Union minister of state Bandi Sanjay recalled that he put names of plants to his family members, which reflects his affection and bonding with nature.
Deputy CM Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka, ministers Ponnam Prabhakar, Jupally Krishna Rao, Danasari Anusuya, TPCC chief Mahesh Kumar Goud and others condoled the demise of Ramaiah.
Former minister Harish Rao said Ramaiah had lived his life believing the adage `Vruksho Rakshati Rakshita Ha’. Ramaiah treated plants as his own kids during, Harish Rao said. Even when he fell ill, Ramaiah continued planting and protecting trees. BRS leader K.T. Rama Rao recalled that Ramaiah had cooperated with the Harita Haram programme and said there was a dire need to have people like Ramaiah to protect the environment.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu said Ramaiah’s death left “an unfillable gap” in India’s environmental movement.