Noted Telangana Environmental activist Daripalli Ramaiah,passes away

Noted environmental activist, Padma Shri awardee, Daripalli Ramaiah, passed away at a hospital in Khamman district of Telangana recently.  The 87-year-old Daripalli Ramaiah, popularly known as Vanajeevi Ramaiah, died due to a heart attack.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy, and Union Minister G Kishan Reddy expressed their condolences at the demise of Daripalli Ramaiah.

About Treeman Daripalli Ramaiah

Treeman Daripalli Ramaiah was born in the Reddypally village of the Khammam district now in Telangana in July 1937.

From childhood, he was attracted to trees and forestry. For over 50 years, he planted seeds and saplings of plants in and around his village and districts, especially at the start of the monsoon season.

He was seen on a cycle wearing a green board around his neck with a slogan "Vriksho Rakshati Rakshita,” (Save tree, it will save you) printed on his neckband.

His dedication to tree conservation and seed and sapling planting earned him the nicknames "Vanajeevi” (forest dweller) and “Chetla Ramaiah” (tree Ramaiah).

He is credited with planting over one crore trees, earning him the nickname 'Treeman of India.'

It is said that he set a target to plant 3 crore saplings in his lifetime.

Inspiration to Many 

• Daripalli Ramaiah's life was an inspiration to many who, despite limited means, continued his passion for sowing seeds and spreading awareness about forestry.
• The state government included a chapter on him in the 6th-grade social studies textbook.
• The Maharashtra government included a chapter on him in the 9th-grade Telugu curriculum for Telugu-speaking students.

Awards and Recognition 

• He was honoured with India’s fourth highest civilian award Padma Shri in 2017 for his contribution in extending tree cover.
• The central government honoured him with the Vanaseva award in 1995 and the Vanamitra award in 2005.
• The central government honoured him with the National Innovations and Outstanding Traditional Knowledge Award in 2015.
• He was conferred with honourary doctorate by the Academy of Universal Global Peace for his achievement in planting over one crore saplings.