Daripalli Ramaiah, also known as “Vanajeevi” and “Chettu Ramaiah”, was an Indian environmentalist from Telangana who was widely recognized for planting over one crore (10 million) saplings across the Khammam district over several decades . He was honored with the Padma Shri award in 2017 for his contributions to environmental conservation .
Key Highlights of Daripalli Ramaiah’s Life and Work:
- Early Life and Motivation: Ramaiah was a school dropout and a self-taught environmentalist . He dedicated his life to restoring greenery in barren landscapes .
- Environmental Efforts:
- He planted over one crore saplings across Telangana .
- He carried seeds and saplings on his bicycle and distributed them among villagers .
- He strongly believed in mass tree plantation and community awareness to combat climate change and ecological degradation .
- Recognition and Awards:
- He was awarded the Padma Shri in 2017 for his environmental contributions .
- He was known as “Vanajeevi” (protector of forests) and “Tree Man” for his extensive tree-planting efforts .
- Death: Ramaiah passed away at the age of 87 in April 2025 due to a heart attack at his home in Reddipalli village, Khammam district, Telangana .
- Legacy:
- Ramaiah’s legacy lives on through the millions of trees he nurtured and the environmental consciousness he instilled in future generations .
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy paid tribute to him, recognizing his contributions to environmental sustainability .
- Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy called him a “green revolutionary” whose one-man movement had blossomed into a societal campaign for environmental preservation .
