Jadav Payeng: The Man Who Transformed a Barren Island into a Lush Forest in Assam
This Man Refused To Ignore Dying Animals And Transformed An Island In Assam Forever
News 18
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Jadav 'Molai' Payeng, inspired by the death of animals on a barren sandbar in the Brahmaputra River, dedicated decades to planting trees, transforming the area into the thriving Molai Forest. His efforts have restored wildlife and garnered recognition, including the Padma Shri award in 2015.
- 01Jadav Payeng began his conservation efforts in 1979 after witnessing wildlife deaths due to deforestation.
- 02He single-handedly transformed a barren sandbar into the Molai Forest, covering several hundred hectares.
- 03The forest is now home to diverse wildlife including elephants, deer, and Bengal tigers.
- 04Payeng's work remained largely unknown until 2007 when it gained national and international attention.
- 05He was awarded the Padma Shri by the Government of India in 2015 for his environmental contributions.
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In 1979, Jadav 'Molai' Payeng, then a 16-year-old, witnessed the tragic deaths of numerous snakes on a barren sandbar in the Brahmaputra River near Majuli, Assam. This prompted him to take action, leading to decades of tireless work planting trees and transforming the desolate area into the Molai Forest, which now spans several hundred hectares. His journey began with planting bamboo saplings and evolved to include various native tree species, ultimately restoring the ecosystem. The forest has since attracted diverse wildlife, including elephants, deer, vultures, monkeys, and Bengal tigers. Payeng's efforts remained largely unnoticed until 2007 when wildlife photographer Jitu Kalita documented the forest, bringing it into the public eye. His remarkable conservation work earned him the Padma Shri award from the Government of India in 2015, highlighting the profound impact an individual can have on environmental restoration.
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The transformation of the Molai Forest has restored biodiversity in the region, providing a habitat for various species and improving the local ecosystem.
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