🌱 What Happened
Jadav Payeng, an unsung hero from India, has spent the last 40 years of his life transforming a barren sandbar in Assam into a lush forest. In 1979, distressed by the damage caused by floods, Jadav decided to plant a sapling every day on the barren land.
💡 Impact
Today, the sandbar has transformed into a 550-hectare forest, named Molai Forest after him. It’s home to Bengal tigers, Indian rhinoceros, over 100 deer and rabbits, besides monkeys and several varieties of birds, including a large number of vultures. There are several thousand trees, including Bamboo, valcol, Arjun, Pride of India, silk trees and the goldmohur.
📍 The Bigger Picture
Jadav’s effort serves as an inspiration to millions and a perfect example of the difference one man can make in the fight against climate change. His story is a testament to the power of persistence and the incredible impact of small, consistent actions over time.
- Jadav Payeng has been honoured with Padma Shri, the fourth highest civilian award in India.
- His story has been documented in the film ‘The Forest Man of India’ that has won several awards internationally.
Let’s take inspiration from Jadav and do our bit for the environment. Remember, every single sapling counts!