Thane: With only a huge heart to give to Mother Nature, Jadav Payeng, known as the forest man of India, built a forest spread across over 1,300 acres on the Majuli island in Assam.
Payeng, who put in efforts and dedication for 40 years to build the forest, spoke to over 3,000 people, including students, teachers and parents about the importance and benefits of green cover at the Institute of Psychological Health (IPH) on Saturday.
His memory of a flood at the age of 16, after which the lack of green cover and immense heat killed many snakes, pushed him to do something for nature.
"When I was 16, my area was hit by floods as the water from the Brahmaputra entered our village and with it came many snakes. Once the water dried up, the reptiles started to die on the barren land. I asked my elders why it was happening to which they replied that they were dying due to heat and absence of green cover," said Payeng.
Having studied till only class X, Payeng had not knowledge about trees, but his determination to work hard towards conservation of nature brought fruitful results.
"I initially planted bamboo trees and watered them for around 50 days till they grew properly. It was then that I started planting various trees. Initially it was difficult to get trees and plant, but later it became easier as I got seeds from the trees that became big," said Payeng.
The forest named as Molai forest is home to a number of migratory birds and animals from nearby national parks started visiting and eventually residing in the forest.
Payeng said that it should be made mandatory for children to grow trees when they are pursuing their education.
"There is development everywhere, but no trees and due to this people fall sick. When there is enough green cover in the surrounding, one stays healthy. Children should be given saplings at the time of school admissions and they should be asked to nurture the tree they plant till they pass out of school. They should only be given passing certificate if by the end of their school education, their plant stays alive. Only if such an initiative is taken will there be ample trees for the generations to come," said Payeng.
He accepted the Padma Shri award only when he was told that people will understand the importance of nature because of him.
Despite having been awarded the fourth highest civilian award in the Republic of India, he prefers to belong to a humble background and lives in a hut in the middle of the forest with his family. He earns his livelihood by collecting milk from the buffaloes in his stable and selling it.
Children should be given saplings at the time of school admissions and they should be asked to nurture the tree they plant till they pass out of school. They should only be given passing certificate if by the end of their school education, their plant stays alive. Only then will there be enough trees
Payeng, who put in efforts and dedication for 40 years to build the forest, spoke to over 3,000 people, including students, teachers and parents about the importance and benefits of green cover at the Institute of Psychological Health (IPH) on Saturday.
His memory of a flood at the age of 16, after which the lack of green cover and immense heat killed many snakes, pushed him to do something for nature.
"When I was 16, my area was hit by floods as the water from the Brahmaputra entered our village and with it came many snakes. Once the water dried up, the reptiles started to die on the barren land. I asked my elders why it was happening to which they replied that they were dying due to heat and absence of green cover," said Payeng.
Having studied till only class X, Payeng had not knowledge about trees, but his determination to work hard towards conservation of nature brought fruitful results.
"I initially planted bamboo trees and watered them for around 50 days till they grew properly. It was then that I started planting various trees. Initially it was difficult to get trees and plant, but later it became easier as I got seeds from the trees that became big," said Payeng.
The forest named as Molai forest is home to a number of migratory birds and animals from nearby national parks started visiting and eventually residing in the forest.
Payeng said that it should be made mandatory for children to grow trees when they are pursuing their education.
"There is development everywhere, but no trees and due to this people fall sick. When there is enough green cover in the surrounding, one stays healthy. Children should be given saplings at the time of school admissions and they should be asked to nurture the tree they plant till they pass out of school. They should only be given passing certificate if by the end of their school education, their plant stays alive. Only if such an initiative is taken will there be ample trees for the generations to come," said Payeng.
He accepted the Padma Shri award only when he was told that people will understand the importance of nature because of him.
Despite having been awarded the fourth highest civilian award in the Republic of India, he prefers to belong to a humble background and lives in a hut in the middle of the forest with his family. He earns his livelihood by collecting milk from the buffaloes in his stable and selling it.
Children should be given saplings at the time of school admissions and they should be asked to nurture the tree they plant till they pass out of school. They should only be given passing certificate if by the end of their school education, their plant stays alive. Only then will there be enough trees
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