Nearly 40 years ago, 16-year-old man began planting a tree every day to save his island – now it's unrecognizable
Trees are essential to every living thing that requires oxygen to live. As the biggest plants on the Earth, they provide oxygen by absorbing carbon dioxide thus improving the air quality.
Ever noticed the difference in the quality of air in the forest and in the city with fewer trees? It’s much easier to breathe in the forest, isn’t it?
But their role doesn’t end there, they also strengthen the soil in order to support wildlife by reducing soil erosion. Thanks to its big roots that can grow underground for up to 200 feet, it sucks water underneath to minimize moisture in the soil.
One man from India realized this and decided to plant trees to save his island. He has been planting trees for almost 40 years now.
Known as the Forest Man of India, Jadav Payeng dedicated 30 years of his life to covering 550 hectares of land with trees. Thanks to his contribution, wildlife has returned to this barren wasteland and he did it all by himself.
Molai Kathoni forest: A one-man-made forest
Jadav is a native of the Majuli Island, in the Brahmaputra River near Kokilamukh in the Jorhat district in Assam, India. The entire landmass of the island is about 1,000 hectares but it has gradually gone smaller in recent years due to the constant threat of soil erosion.
Majuli has reduced over the past 70 years by more than half. Scientists predict that it could be totally submerged in 20 to 30 years if nothing will be done to the extensive soil erosion. Back in 1980, the Assam Forestry Division of Golaghat district began a plan to reforest 200 hectares in one of the sandbars of the Brahmaputra river.
Unfortunately, the program was abandoned in 1983 but Jadav had a different idea in mind. He planned to continue the project even if it meant doing everything on his own.
He started planting bamboo, and over the course of years, he had planted different species of plants that have covered 550 hectares of land – bigger than Central Park in New York City. Just to give you an idea of how big it is, its size can be compared to the size of 15 football stadiums.
In his honor
The government recognized Jadav’s efforts and his forest was named after him. His full name is Padma Shri Jadav “Molai” Payeng, thus officially naming it the ‘Molai Forest’.
This amazing story reached several filmmakers around the globe, and Jadav and his forest have been the subject of a number of award-winning documentaries. In 2012, Jadav met another local named Jitu Kalita, who was walking around the island taking nature photos.
He documented Jadav’s life and accomplishment in his documentary “Forest Man” which has then received worldwide recognition and was even shown at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival in 2014.
Jadav Payeng: Forest Man of India
According to the World Bank, we’ve lost 1.3 million sq km of forests since 1990 – an area larger than South Africa. Rampant deforestation continues despite the obvious effects of climate change, as people choose short-term gain than preserving the long-term benefits.
In order to save our planet, let Jadav’s story be an inspiration to everyone to do more for the environment. It’s amazing how one man was able to make a huge difference and if we can all just lend out a helping hand, together we can save Mother Earth.
“I feel sad when I see people felling trees. We have to save the nature or else we all will perish. I may live a very lowly life but I feel satisfied that I have been able to stir up a lot of people who love nature.”
Watch the full documentary of ‘Forest Man’ by clicking on the video below.
Please SHARE this with your friends and family.