Eco-loving Salu tree succumbs to a heroic death

An environmentalist of Mitlakatte village in Harihara taluk of Davangere district, a Karnataka Rajyotsava award-winning Salu tree Veerachari has committed suicide.

Salumada Veerachari (70), an environmentalist who was fighting against the illegality of the fair price shop, committed suicide by hanging himself from a tree that he had grown because he did not get justice.

On hearing the news of his death, the villagers of Mitlakatte of Harihar taluk, who expressed their anger against the administrative system, staged a blockade. The situation came to light after the district collector convinced the protesting villagers that they wanted justice for this death and promised that they would try to clear the court's injunction and then put the issue before the relevant committee to find a solution.

Veerachari, who had complained to the District Collector and the Food Department officials about the lack of rice, wheat and ragi given to the people by the government and the sale of remaining rice, wheat and ragi during Kala Sante, said that if his struggle was not recognized, he would hang himself.