Post by Jude on Sept 1, 2015 14:49:13 GMT -6
I wrote this thread years ago on another site and decided to bring it over, build it out, get a few new sources, new pics and see what this dude has been up to.
I am happy to find that he's still rockin' the forests of India one seed at a time. :)
Man grows 1,360-acre forest in India...by himself
I have to say that when I see something like this I always wonder what makes someone undertake something so huge in scope? I also question myself as to whether I would have the ability to stay with something so daunting. I like to think so but the spark of sacrifice would have to be so all-consuming in order to carry out a project like this.
Source 1
Source 2
And NOT listening to those in authority pays off big time not only for himself but for all the little woodland creatures that call his forest their home. What do you do when someone tells you that your dream isn't possible? Make it possible of course.
No one was interested in helping? Sounds very familiar to many of us I'll bet.
And of course there always seems to be someone to crap on the parade when someone tries to do something worthwhile. A Rhino decided to make this forest his home and got killed for it.
He did finally come to the attention of those he needed to address tho:
A great comment from a poster:
Peace to all. And remember this story when looking at all the weeds in the back yard with frustration and despair next spring.
Jude
I am happy to find that he's still rockin' the forests of India one seed at a time. :)
Man grows 1,360-acre forest in India...by himself
I have to say that when I see something like this I always wonder what makes someone undertake something so huge in scope? I also question myself as to whether I would have the ability to stay with something so daunting. I like to think so but the spark of sacrifice would have to be so all-consuming in order to carry out a project like this.
Source 1
Source 2
When he was a teenager in Northern India's Assam region about 30 years ago, Jadav "Molai" Payeng began planting seeds in a sandbar near his birthplace. A few years later, he moved into the area and turned the seed-planting and tree-nurturing into his life's work, planting seeds and helping them grow over a wide area that was initially left for desolate.
In the past 30 years, his seed-planting endeavors have resulted in a massive, 1,360-acre jungle in Assam, a forest ecosystem that has left an incredible mark on the Indian landscape and stands as a testament to Payeng's dedication.
In the past 30 years, his seed-planting endeavors have resulted in a massive, 1,360-acre jungle in Assam, a forest ecosystem that has left an incredible mark on the Indian landscape and stands as a testament to Payeng's dedication.
And NOT listening to those in authority pays off big time not only for himself but for all the little woodland creatures that call his forest their home. What do you do when someone tells you that your dream isn't possible? Make it possible of course.
Initially, the forest department told Payeng that trees could not grow in that area. He was not dissuaded; instead he dedicated himself to the task of nurturing the forest, and his dedication has produced results. The Molai woods, in addition to being covered with lush greenery, is now home to a whole host of creatures big and small, including birds, deers, rhinos, tigers, and elephants.
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.
There was nobody to help me. Nobody was interested," says Payeng, now 47.
No one was interested in helping? Sounds very familiar to many of us I'll bet.
And of course there always seems to be someone to crap on the parade when someone tries to do something worthwhile. A Rhino decided to make this forest his home and got killed for it.
Unfortunately, locals reportedly killed a rhino which was seen in his forest, something that Payeng clearly disapproves of. ”Nature has made a food chain; why can’t we stick to it? Who would protect these animals if we, as superior beings, start hunting them?”
He did finally come to the attention of those he needed to address tho:
The Assam state forest department learnt about Payeng's forest only in 2008 when a herd of some 100 wild elephants strayed into it after a marauding spree in villages nearby. They also destroyed Payeng's hutment . It was then that assistant conservator of forests Gunin Saikia met Payeng for the first time.
"We were surprised to find such a dense forest on the sandbar. Locals, whose homes had been destroyed by the pachyderms, wanted to cut down the forest, but Payeng dared them to kill him instead. He treats the trees and animals like his own children. Seeing this, we, too, decided to pitch in," says Saikia. "We're amazed at Payeng. He has been at it for 30 years. Had he been in any other country, he would have been made a hero."
Help from the government wasn't forthcoming, though. It was only last year that the social forestry division took up plantation work on a 200-hectare plot.
Meanwhile, Congress MP from Jorhat, Bijoy Krishna Handique, took interest and said he would moot a proposal to the Centre to declare the area a conservation reserve under provisions of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. Payeng would be happy.
"We were surprised to find such a dense forest on the sandbar. Locals, whose homes had been destroyed by the pachyderms, wanted to cut down the forest, but Payeng dared them to kill him instead. He treats the trees and animals like his own children. Seeing this, we, too, decided to pitch in," says Saikia. "We're amazed at Payeng. He has been at it for 30 years. Had he been in any other country, he would have been made a hero."
Help from the government wasn't forthcoming, though. It was only last year that the social forestry division took up plantation work on a 200-hectare plot.
Meanwhile, Congress MP from Jorhat, Bijoy Krishna Handique, took interest and said he would moot a proposal to the Centre to declare the area a conservation reserve under provisions of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. Payeng would be happy.
A great comment from a poster:
One mans forest. How quickly could + - 6 billion replant all our forests ? Very quickly. Too bad most people these days see" nothing but rocks and trees," where vast mountains and forests still exist..blinded to the beauty of our earth.. asphalt much better right ? Neon nylon screaming modernity is better.?
Peace to all. And remember this story when looking at all the weeds in the back yard with frustration and despair next spring.
Jude
