KHAMMAM

Veteran green crusader, the late Daripalli Ramaiah, popularly known as Vanajeevi Ramaiah, continues to inspire generations through his enduring legacy of environmental conservation.

His vision of a greener future and invaluable contribution to social forestry have found a place in the Intermediate first year Botany textbook in the current academic year.

Ramaiah’s tireless efforts to increase green cover and his pioneering contribution in planting and nurturing lakhs of saplings in Khammam district have been featured in the Plant Ecology chapter under the newly-introduced topic Economic Botany.

The textbook describes him as an Indian social worker renowned for his outstanding contribution to social forestry. It notes that he was conferred the ‘Padma Shri’ award in recognition of his extensive afforestation efforts in 2017.

It may be recalled that a lesson on Vanajeevi Ramaiah’s life was introduced in the Class VI Social Studies textbook in 2019.

Ramaiah, a native of Reddypalli village in Khammam rural mandal, continued his green mission until his last breath.

He passed away at the age of 85 in April 2025, leaving behind an enduring legacy of environmental stewardship.