Khammam: Padma Shri Awardee ‘Vanajeevi’ Ramaiah passes away

Ramaiah, who hailed from Reddypalli village in Khammam Rural Mandal, dedicated his entire life to planting trees and protecting the environment.

Hyderabad: Padma Shri awardee and green crusader Daripalli Ramaiah, popularly known as Vanajeevi Ramaiah, passed away on Saturday, April 12, after suffering a heart attack. He was undergoing treatment at Khammam Government Hospital. He was 88.

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Ramaiah, who hailed from Reddypalli village in Khammam Rural Mandal, dedicated his entire life to planting trees and protecting the environment. In 2017, the Central Government honoured him with the Padma Shri for his tireless contribution to social forestry.

He planted over one lakh saplings in and around Khammam, focusing on native trees that provide shade, fruits, and biofuel. Known as Chetla Ramaiah (Trees Ramaiah), he was often seen riding his bicycle with saplings, pockets full of seeds and a deep mission to turn barren lands green.

Despite studying only till Class 10, Ramaiah read countless books on plants and became a self-taught expert. He even sold his 3 acres of land to buy seeds and saplings.

BRS former MP Santhosh Kumar expressed his grief, saying, “Deeply saddened by the loss of Padma Shri Vanajeevi Ramaiah garu, a true warrior of nature. His inspiring legacy will live on for generations.”

His life journey is documented in the Telugu book ‘Vitthanam Nundi Padmam Varaku – Vanajeevi Prayaanam’ by Naresh Jilla.