3 Women Environmentalists in India That You Should Know

From grassroots activists to global leaders, women have been at the forefront of the fight to protect our planet, whether through advocating for policy change, tackling climate change, or protecting biodiversity.

As we celebrate International Women’s Day on 8th March, a day to recognise and appreciate women for their achievements, let us look at three women whose passion is truly making a difference.

In this article, we share a brief story of three women environmentalists whose work not only uplifts communities but also fosters a greener, more sustainable future for generations to come. 

What makes these stories even more special is that all these inspiring women come from humble backgrounds with no formal education. However, their innovative solutions, resilience, and unwavering dedication inspire change and reshape the narrative of environmentalism.

Tulasi Gowda ~ Encyclopedia of the Forest

Tulasi Gowda from Honnali village in Karnataka has made remarkable contributions to nature conservation and protection.

Belonging to the Halakki indigenous tribe in Karnataka, Tulasi grew up in poverty and never had the opportunity to receive formal education. Despite this, knowledge of various plant and herb species, which she acquired through her hands-on work, was exemplary. 

From an early age, Tulasi was actively involved in nurturing seeds and plants at a nursery. She later took a temporary job with the Karnataka forest department, where her dedication and hard work were recognized, leading to a permanent position.

Tulasi used her traditional indigenous knowledge and worked directly on afforestation efforts for more than six decades and planting over 100 thousands trees.

She continued to pursue environmental efforts even after retirement. Her passion towards the environment and extensive knowledge of trees earned her the title of the ‘Encyclopedia of the Forest.’

In 2021, she was given Padma Shri, India’s fourth highest civilian award, for her environmental contributions.

In December 2024, at an age of 83, she breathed her last, setting a shining example of a woman environmentalist who embraced and showcased indigenous knowledge through her environmental conservation efforts.

Rahibai Popere ~ Seed Mother

Rahibai Poere’s tireless work preserving indigenous seeds, promoting sustainable agriculture, and empowering women has left a profound impact in society.

Rahibai comes from a tribal family in Komblne village in Maharashtra, due to family financial conditions, she did not attend school and started working as an agricultural labourer from a very young age.

Even after her marriage, she continued to farm, learning agrobiodiversity, and traditional culture through practice and experience. Through her perseverance, enthusiasm, and resourcefulness, she established a nursery. 

Rahibai Popere recognized the value of native seeds, emphasizing that they are drought and disease-resistant, more nutritious, and enhance soil fertility without the need for chemical fertilizers or excessive watering.

Additionally, she understood conserving native seeds was crucial in safeguarding vulnerable farmers from exploitation. Over the years, Rahibai collected and preserved seeds of an array of crops, vegetables, and oilseeds, which led her to establish a seed bank for farmers, earning a fitting title of “Seed Mother.” 

Beyond seed conservation, she also champions the cause of natural farming, agro-biodiversity, and is also involved in activities related to health and sanitation of rural families.

Rahibai Popere’s story serves as an inspiring reminder of the need to protect our natural resources and promote sustainable livelihoods for everyone.

Saalumarada Thimakka ~ Tree Mother

Saalumarada Thimmakka was born in Gubbi Taluk in Karnataka and worked as a farm laborer in her younger days.

After her marriage to Chikkaiah, a native of Hulikal village, she couldn’t conceive for many years and thus faced social criticism and rebuke. 

Instead of cursing the society, she, along with her husband’s support, started planting and tending trees as their children.

The couple found solace as they planted more trees on a four-kilometer highway stretch between Hulikal and Kudoor village, nearly 80 km from Bangalore.

Even after her husband died in 1991, she continued her environmental initiatives and even played a crucial role in constructing a water tank to store rainwater in her town.

At the age of 107, Saalumarada received the Padma Shri Award and also earned the nickname ‘Vriksha Mathe’ (Trees Mother) for planting thousands of trees.

Saalumarada Thimmakka’s journey exemplifies how resilience, determination, and perseverance of ordinary women in our country can bring a positive change to the Planet. 

Wrapping Up

By highlighting stories of women environmentalists from India, we honor their efforts and also hope that their journeys will inspire future generations of women to take responsibility in the fight for a healthier planet.