ONE MAN REPLANTS A FOREST
Jadav Molai Payeng – The Forest Man of India
From barren soil to a vibrant forest – that’s what one man has single-handedly created with his one-tree-grown-a-day practice for over 40 years. The forest today spans over 550 hectares, equivalent to the size of 15 football fields.
Meet Jadav Molai Payeng, the “Forest Man of India” – a living testament to the resilience of nature and the indomitable spirit of those who dare to dream of a greener, more sustainable future. His extraordinary feat has been described as “a visionary act of reforestation” that results in ecological restoration, benefiting both humans and the planet.
Here’s how it all began. In 1979, at the age of 16, Jadav encountered a distressing scene on a sandbar in Mājuli, the world’s largest river island in India’s Brahmaputra river. Hundreds of snakes had succumbed to a severe drought due to lack of shade. Moved by the sight, Jadav embarked on a mission fueled by compassion and determination – to transform the barren sandbar into a thriving forest.
Armed with little more than sheer willpower and a deep reverence for nature, Jadav began his arduous journey of reforestation. With meticulous care, he planted saplings and nurtured their growth, defying skepticism and adversity at every turn. His simple yet ingenious methods, from drilling holes for planting to crafting makeshift irrigation systems, laid the foundation for what would eventually become the sprawling Molai Forest, East India Story reports.
Over the decades that followed, Jadav’s unwavering commitment bore fruit, quite literally, as Molai Forest blossomed into a vibrant ecosystem teeming with life. Today, this once-barren landscape stands as a testament to the transformative power of individual action in the face of environmental degradation. (EIS)
Majuli, once under the constant threat of river-induced flooding and erosion, has now become a sanctuary for hundreds of species. Jadav’s initial arduous efforts evolved into a self-sustaining forest from bamboo to various trees. His trees absorb carbon dioxide, acting as a natural carbon sink, contributing to overall ecosystem health, supporting biodiversity, regulating water cycles, and providing essential habitats for various species. As the trees grew, so did the population of inhabitants – birds, deer, rhinos, tigers, and even a herd of elephants that visit the forest for 3 months each year.
His reforestation efforts are a tangible and impactful solution to climate change. The Molai forest is a living example of how individual actions can contribute to a sustainable and harmonious coexistence between humanity and the environment.
One with Nature
Jadav Payeng believes in the harmonious existence of humans and nature. “We are all connected,” he says. And he vows: “I’ll plant till my last breath.”
The following information from an article in NPR (26 December 2017) gives a close look of Jadav’s reverence and respect for nature.
On planting: “First with bamboo trees, then with cotton trees. I kept planting – all different kinds of trees,” Jadav says. “It’s not as if I did it alone,” says the self-styled naturalist. “You plant one or two trees, and they have to seed. And once they seed,” he adds reverentially, “the wind knows how to plant them, the birds here know how to sow them, cows know, elephants know, even the Brahmaputra river knows. The entire ecosystem knows.”
Jadav sought no permission to plant a forest. He just grew it, carrying on what he says is his Mishing tribe’s tradition of honouring nature.
This father of three delights in the fact that wild elephants cross the shallow river waters to roam his forest. Island villagers complain the herd tramples their fields and destroys their homes. But Jadav defends the animals and says it is “man that must adjust” to these woods. When islanders suggest that Payeng cut back the forest to dissuade the beasts, he sternly warns, “You will have to kill me first before you kill the trees.”
When asked how he has sustained his passion, Payeng strikes a metaphysical tone. “No one sees God,” he says. “I see God in nature. Nature is God. It gives me inspiration. It gives me power … As long as it survives, I survive.”
International Recognition
Jadav Molai Payeng was a poor farmer from a marginalised tribal community in Assam, India. Through his wisdom, he created a better world for all. Once considered “crazy” by local inhabitants, Jadav is celebrated today as a conservationist. His innovative solutions, such as planting coconut trees to combat soil erosion, garnered recognition for their potential to benefit both Majuli Island and the fight against climate change.
He has received one of India’s highest civilian awards, the Padma Shri, and many other international honours for his incredible achievement of turning barren soil into a vibrant forest. Jadav, now adorned with the title “Forest Man of India,” received multiple awards for his extraordinary achievements and delivered impactful TED talks.
In recognition of Jadav’s unparalleled environmental activism, the forest was named “Molai” in his honour. His inspirational story transcended borders, inspiring a children’s book, “Jadav and the Tree Place”.
Award-winning documentaries showcase his journey, attracting visitors worldwide to witness the flourishing Molai forest. His story has become a valuable lesson in ecology, incorporated into curriculum across schools in the US and beyond (One Earth, 30 May 2024).