Tulasi Gowda

An illiterate Indian environmentalist known as the 'Encyclopedia of the Forest' for her unparalleled knowledge of ecosystems.

Tulasi Gowda, born in 1944 in Karnataka, India, is a renowned environmentalist from the Halakki indigenous community. Despite being illiterate, she has planted over 30,000 trees and dedicated her life to forest conservation. Her deep understanding of native plant species and sustainable practices has made her a critical figure in India's ecological movement.

Gowda's work began with the Salur Gram Panchayat, where she advocated against deforestation and commercial exploitation of forests. She collaborated with the Indian government's Forest Department to establish community-led conservation programs. Her efforts led to the revival of nearly 200 hectares of degraded land in the Western Ghats, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

What makes Gowda truly unique is her fusion of indigenous wisdom with modern ecology. She developed seed preservation techniques now taught in agricultural universities. In 2020, she received the Padma Shri, India's fourth-highest civilian award, solidifying her legacy as a grassroots changemaker.