Padma Shri awardee ‘Vanajeevi’ Ramaiah passed away at the age of 87, in Khammam district of Telangana on Saturday. As per reports from his family, he suffered a heart attack at his house in Reddipalli village.
Daripalli Ramaiah is popularly known as “Chettu (tree) Ramaiah” or “Vanajeevi”. He hails from Khammam district and has planted over one crore saplings in and around Khammam, focusing on native trees that provide shade, fruits, and biofuel.
He was known for riding his bicycle with saplings, pockets full of seeds and a deep mission to turn barren lands green.
Ramaiah had limited education. He had studied only till Class 10. However, he had read countless books on plants and had become a self-taught expert. He even sold his 3 acres of land to buy seeds and saplings
He was recipient of Padma Shri Award for 2017.
Irreparable Loss to the Society
Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy condoled the death of Ramaiah saying that his demise is an “irreparable loss” to the society. The Chief Minister further said Daripalli Ramaiah, strongly believed that survival of mankind is impossible without nature and environment, as per the release from CMO.
“Ramaiah launched plantation as an individual and influenced the entire society,” Revanth Reddy said adding the Padma Shri awardee inspired the youth by dedicating entire life to environmental protection. The Chief Minister conveyed deep sympathies to his family members.
Union Coal and Mines Minister G Kishan Reddy, Union Minister of State for Home Bandi Sanjay Kumar, BRS president K Chandrasekhar Rao and several other leaders condoled the demise of Mr Ramaiah.
In his message, Kishan Reddy said Mr Ramaiah planted over one crore saplings during his lifetime and was at the forefront of protecting and furthering nature and the environment.
Paying homage to the departed soul, Sanjay Kumar said the demise of the green crusader, who was awarded Padma Shri, is a loss to Telangana and the cause of nature.
KCR said Mr Ramaiah’s life stands as a role model for future generations in conserving the environment.
National Recognition
Former Rajya Sabha MP Santosh Kumar has called for national recognition of Vanajeevi Ramaiah by renaming the Khammam–Manuguru road as “Vanajeevi Ramaiah Marg” to honour his efforts in planting trees along an 8-kilometre stretch from Khammam to Reddypalli.
He also suggested renaming the annual Vanamahotsavam as “Ramaiah Vanamahotsavam” to celebrate his legacy.
