Telangana’s 'tree man' Daripalli Ramaiah passes away at 87

Daripalli Ramaiah, fondly known as “Vanajeevi” or “Chettu Ramaiah” for his lifelong dedication to tree planting and environmental conservation, passed away on Saturday at his home in Reddipalli village, Khammam district.

The 87-year-old Padma Shri awardee reportedly suffered a heart attack, according to family sources.

Ramaiah gained national recognition for his extraordinary commitment to greening Telangana, having planted over one crore saplings over several decades. Honoured with the Padma Shri in 2017, he remained an enduring symbol of grassroots environmental activism.

Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy expressed deep sorrow over his passing, calling it an "irreparable loss" to society. In a statement, the Chief Minister lauded Ramaiah’s lifelong mission and emphasised that his belief in the vital connection between human survival and nature should inspire future generations. "He began as a one-man movement and transformed into a societal force for environmental protection," Reddy said.

Union ministers G Kishan Reddy and Bandi Sanjay Kumar also paid tribute, with Kishan Reddy highlighting Ramaiah’s relentless efforts in promoting tree plantation and ecological awareness. Sanjay Kumar referred to him as a "green crusader" whose death marks a significant loss for Telangana and environmental causes.

Former Chief Minister and BRS president K Chandrasekhar Rao remarked that Ramaiah’s life would continue to serve as a guiding light for those committed to preserving nature.