🌱 What Happened
In 1979, Jadav Payeng, a 16-year-old boy from Majuli, Assam, visited a barren sandbar and was moved by the sight of dead snakes, killed by extreme heat. He made a resolve to prevent this and started planting bamboo seedlings on the sandbar.
💡 Impact
Jadav’s small step turned into a lifelong mission, and after 40 years, the barren sandbar transformed into a 550-hectare forest, now known as Molai Forest. This forest, larger than Central Park in New York City, houses Bengal tigers, Indian rhinoceros, and over 100 deer and rabbits. It has also attracted vultures, which were missing from the area for over 40 years.
📍 The Bigger Picture
Jadav’s story is a shining example of human will and dedication. He shows us how individual efforts can lead to significant positive change for our planet.
- Jadav single-handedly planted a forest larger than Central Park.
- Molai Forest is now a thriving ecosystem housing endangered species.
- Jadav’s work serves as an inspiration for environmentalists worldwide.
An inspiring documentary film about Jadav Payeng’s life, called “Foresting life” has been made. To know more, visit the Foresting Life website.
Let’s take a leaf from Jadav’s book and make a positive impact on our environment in our own small ways!