Hyderabad, April 12 -- Padma Shri awardee 'Vanajeevi' Ramaiah died in Khammam district of Telangana on Saturday, April 12.

He suffered a heart attack at his house in Reddipalli village, they said. He was 87.

Daripalli Ramaiah, popularly known as the green crusader, "Chettu (tree) Ramaiah" or "Vanajeevi" in Khammam district, for planting more than one crore saplings over the last several decades, was recipient of Padma Shri Award for 2017.

Telangana chief minister A Revanth Reddy condoled the death of Ramaiah and said his demise was an "irreparable loss" to the society.

The chief minister further said Daripalli Ramaiah, strongly believed that survival of mankind is impossible without nature and environment, a release from CMO said.

"R...