Nestled in the heart of Assam, India, amidst the verdant landscapes along the Brahmaputra River, unfolds an extraordinary tale of resilience and dedication. This narrative belongs to Jadav Payeng, a man whose exceptional endeavours have metamorphosed a once-barren sandbar into a thriving forest. Born on October 31, 1959, into the indigenous Mising tribe of Assam, Jadav Payeng rightfully bears the title of the “Forest Man of India.”
Sowing the Seeds of Transformation
In 1979, at the tender age of 19, Payeng bore witness to a distressing scene that would shape the trajectory of his life. A devastating flood had stranded numerous snakes on a desolate sandbar near the river, exposing them to the merciless heat with no refuge. Moved by their plight, Payeng resolved to instigate change. He initiated the planting of approximately 20 bamboo seedlings on the barren expanse, a modest inception that would burgeon into an astonishing odyssey.
These initial plantings marked the genesis of what is now known as the Molai forest. Payeng’s commitment was unwavering, and over the decades, he continued to nurture and plant trees. His endeavours bore fruit, and today, the Molai forest sprawls across roughly 1,360 acres (550 hectares) near Kokilamukh of Jorhat, Assam. More than a mere woodland, the Molai forest has evolved into a habitat for Bengal tigers, Indian rhinoceros, deer, rabbits, monkeys, vultures, and an array of other species—an astounding testament to Payeng’s transformative accomplishments.
An Unexpected Wildlife Sanctuary
The Molai forest has emerged as an unexpected sanctuary for diverse wildlife. The forest annually hosts a herd of approximately 100 elephants, who linger for six months, even giving birth to calves within its protective embrace. The region boasts a rich variety of plant life, including valcol, arjun, ejar, goldmohur, koroi, moj, himolu, and an extensive bamboo cover.
Payeng’s conservation efforts went unnoticed by authorities until 2008, when forest department officials, in pursuit of 115 elephants that had caused damage in a nearby village, stumbled upon the thriving and dense Molai forest. Subsequent regular inspections followed, revealing the remarkable transformation.
In 2013, Payeng’s vigilance safeguarded the rhinoceros in the forest from poachers, preventing harm to them. His prompt alertness led to the confiscation of poachers’ tools, thwarting their nefarious intentions.
A Stalwart Champion of Environmental Conservation
Jadav Payeng’s commitment to environmental conservation remains steadfast. He tends to the forest and its plants daily, embodying the spirit of the Mising tribe and serving as a beacon of inspiration globally.
While Payeng has received numerous accolades, the most notable is the Padma Shri, India’s fourth-highest civilian award, bestowed upon him in 2015. Additionally, he has been granted honorary doctorate degrees from Assam Agricultural University and Kaziranga University, acknowledging his outstanding contributions to environmental preservation.
A Hero’s Life
Jadav Payeng’s life revolves around the forest he has nurtured, embracing it as his home. Although he and his family used to reside in the forest, in 2012, they relocated to a nearby village. Payeng’s daily routine involves caring for his cattle and buffaloes, the milk from which constitutes his livelihood, serving as his sole source of income. He has faced the loss of many livestock to the tigers in the forest, a consequence of human encroachment and the destruction of wild animals’ natural habitats.
A Tribute to an Extraordinary Legacy
Jadav Payeng’s story stands as a beacon of hope and inspiration, underscoring that one individual’s unwavering determination can create a sanctuary for wildlife and safeguard the environment. His journey from planting a handful of bamboo seedlings to nurturing an expansive forest is a testament to the transformative potential of one person’s vision.
Jadav Payeng, the Forest Man of India, has not only cultivated a green paradise but has also woven a legacy of environmental conservation that inspires generations to protect and preserve the natural treasures of our planet. His narrative serves as a poignant reminder that in the face of adversity, one person can indeed make a world of difference.