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Indian man single-handedly plants a 1,360-acre forest
Jadav Payeng turned a barren sandbar in northern India into a lush new forest ecosystem.
Fri, Dec 21 2012 at 1:20 PM
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The forest, called the Molai woods, is a safe haven for numerous birds, deer, rhinos, tigers and elephants — species increasingly at risk from habitat loss. (Photo: PhBasumata/flickr)
A little more than 30 years ago, a teenager named Jadav "Molai" Payeng began burying seeds along a barren sandbar near his birthplace in northern India's Assam region to grow a refuge for wildlife. Not long after, he decided to dedicate his life to this endeavor, so he moved to the site where he could work full-time creating a lush new forest ecosystem. Incredibly, the spot today hosts a sprawling 1,360 acres of jungle that Payeng planted — single-handedly.
The Times of India recently caught up with Payeng in his remote forest lodge to learn more about how he came to leave such an indelible mark on the landscape.
It all started way back in 1979, when floods washed a large number of snakes ashore on the sandbar. One day, after the waters had receded, Payeng, only 16 then, found the place dotted with the dead reptiles. That was the turning point of his life.
"The snakes died in the heat, without any tree cover. I sat down and wept over their lifeless forms. It was carnage. I alerted the forest department and asked them if they could grow trees there. They said nothing would grow there. Instead, they asked me to try growing bamboo. It was painful, but I did it. There was nobody to help me. Nobody was interested," says Payeng, now 47.
While it's taken years for Payeng's remarkable dedication to planting to receive some well-deserved recognition internationally, it didn't take long for wildlife in the region to benefit from the manufactured forest. Demonstrating a keen understanding of ecological balance, Payeng even transplanted ants to his burgeoning ecosystem to bolster its natural harmony. Soon the shadeless sandbar was transformed into a self-functioning environment where a menagerie of creatures could dwell. The forest, called the Molai woods, now serves as a safe haven for numerous birds, deer, rhinos, tigers and elephants — species increasingly at risk from habitat loss.
Despite the conspicuousness of Payeng's project, forestry officials in the region first learned of this new forest in 2008 — and since then they've come to recognize his efforts as truly remarkable, but perhaps not enough.
"We're amazed at Payeng," says Gunin Saikia, assistant conservator of Forests. "He has been at it for 30 years. Had he been in any other country, he would have been made a hero."
Copyright Treehugger 2012
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God bless this man. He is living proof that one person truly CAN make a difference.
I agree.....shows you the power of one...and what can be accomplished.
My daughter sent me this article since I'm the Gardner in our family. I agree with my fellow bloggers that this man should be honored somehow. Perhaps the international community will do so as word spreads. His life's work is a testament and inspiration to what each of us is capable of doing if we stay the course. Thank you Jadav!
my head is bowed for you and you must be recognized. international organizations must award him for his dedication and contribution to the whole earth and mother nature! love you!
Amazing work by just one human being. We can all learn what the power of one can accomplish.. we should all carry a bit of Molai with us every day.. God Bless...
Bless him!! Sharing
amazing!! I would like to meet him. or visit those molai woods
ya...he is a poor fellow to be born in India. I bow my head in respect for this man.
He did really a great job. he may not be recognized bye the many people but his contribution to the world will remain for decades.
Persistence. It's what great lifetime accomplishments are made of.
I am humbled by this man's dedication. He is almost my age. My lifetime accomplishments suddenly seem so small in comparison.
Bravo, Jadav!
I just love what this wonderful person has done, I also plant seed where I can , Planted 100 apples tree's to support the deer and other animals that might need ~~~ still doing this and have others do the same , treats , seeing beautiful trees , blossoms and dear ~~~
He must be awarded with Noble Prize ,he deserves it.Superb work Sir Mr.Jadav Payeng.Love to meet this guy.
Bamboos talk to Jadav Payeng Mulai
Every man has his hobbyhorse.
If someone in the US tried to replant a barren spot, he'd be arrested for trespassing and sued for violating some patent.
I'm not gonna lie. This moved me to tears.
I think we all must plant at least one tree in our lifetime. An effort, big or small, never goes in vain.
I am a city bred person but have been actively support Project Green Hands. Please google this up when you have time friends. In 2006, more than 850,000 days were planted on a single day achieving the project a place in the Guinness Records. By 2010, over 10 million saplings have been grown in more than 427 nurseries and planted by 1800 rural communities and 3 industrial cities. But we need all the support we can get. Please visit www.projectgreenhands.org when you get the time.
Yea, lets focus on the negative. Instead of letting a good story, give us good feelings, lets just be negative.
You are what you think of. Thinking negative, you get more negative.
I guess that the definition of carbon neutral/negative relies on the amount of carbon removed from air and stored in biomass/sequestered.
From this definition, a forest would be carbon negative as long as biomass is added and after a few hundred/ thousand years, it would become carbon neutral.
IMO, the problem is not only lack of trees but an excess remainder of carbon in air after trees do their job.
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