Padma Shri award for Ankola's Tulasi Gowda

Ankola: Seventy-two-year-old Tulasi Gowda from Ankola, who earned the sobriquet "encyclopedia of forests" because of her vast knowledge of diverse plants species in spite of lacking formal education, has been honoured with the coveted Padma Shri award this year, officials said on Saturday. As many 118 unsung heroes have been given the Padma Shri on the 71st Republic Day this year, they said. The Padma Shri is the fourth highest civilian award of India. A social worker, Gowda has planted more than 40,000 trees in last 6 decades and was active participant in government's afforestation program.