Meet Molai Payeng: The Forest Man Of India!

Jadav Molai Payeng is popular for being a distinctive environmental activist in India. He is also a forest worker by profession. People get to know him by the title, ‘Forest Man of India. Jadav’s act of planting trees on the banks of the river of Brahmaputra has attracted immense media attention to this personality.

This was not a single-time activity but the result of his persistent efforts and commitment over decades. With time, the river bank slowly evolved into a forest reserve making it a newsworthy sight.

To honor his efforts and dedication, people called the forest after his name and it came to be known as ‘Molai Forest’. Even today he is in the environmental sphere contributing his little big parts to mother nature. He has been in the field since 1959 even though unrecognized and least talked about.

The forest reserve he made is now home to a lot of Bengal Tigers emphasizing the difference just one person could do to the nature around him. Let’s look at the further details and background of this exceptional nature lover. 

Molai Payeng Family

Jadav Molai Payeng belongs to the northeastern Indian state of Assam. He hails from one of the tribal communities in the state known as Missing. He lives with his family comprising his wife and three children. He has got a daughter and two sons. Until 2012, he used to live in the forest in a small hut built by himself.

After 2012, he moved out and built a decent house outside the forest and could raise his standard of living by the same. Even though he improved his background, he never forgets his past of living harmoniously with nature and the resources that nurtured him and he nurtured back.

He maintains his commitment to his beloved nature by daily commuting to the interiors of the forest to take care of the plants and trees he planted. Moreover, he is also taking care of a herd of cattle including cows, buffaloes, and goats.

He is actively engaged in cattle farming which is also the main source of income for the family. He has even lost hundreds of his cattle to the attack of wild animals, especially the Bengal tigers. Even then he never blamed nature or stopped looking after them for his selfish needs.

He finds fault with human beings for the encroachment of the forest landscape causing the wild animals to attack the domestic animals and the human populace. 

Molai Payeng Education

Details about Jadav’s formal education are not that evident in any of the credible resources available to date. But some sources mention that he quit his educational journey since he felt that gut feeling to be more involved in environmental activities and forest protection.

It was in the year 16 that Jadav started working towards the goal of planting trees and creating a rich natural forest reserve. According to this timeline, we can assume that he might have received formal education till the age of 16.

However, we don’t know anything about the institute or school in which Jadav completed his education till then. We also can’t be sure whether he has completed his elementary or intermediate education. Even if he could not excel much in the formal education aspect, he performed quite well and inspiring in his domain of forest conservation.

For his insightful activities and efforts concerning the same, the Assam Agricultural University and Kaziranga University have recognized him by granting him an honourary doctorate. 

Molai Payeng Early Life And Story

Jadav’s story as a forest conservationist began at the early age of sixteen. It was when he noticed the massive death of snakes caused by a major drought that happened in the forest reserve of Majuli. The incident caused a serious chain of thought to take birth in the mind of Jadav.

One of the major things to be noticed in this particular drought incident is that Majuli Reserve is part of the largest river island associated with the river of Brahmaputra in India. Even if the island is supported by the natural richness and resources, any of them could not save the lives of the snakes there.

Following this incident, Jadav in the year 1979, started planting bamboo saplings in the barren land of the island one by one each day. He continued these efforts for the following 40 years and now he has successfully covered 1390 acres creating a massive forest reserve in the then-barren region.

Jadav did not have scientific environmental awareness when he started his endeavors. He was not also longing for any kind of recognition or honors. However, his efforts are now insightful to a lot of people across the globe. 

Molai Payeng Profession

Jadav is involved in a bunch of professions but all commonly orienting to nature and the environment. He started his journey as an environmentalist by creating a forest reserve taking a duration around 40 years.

He is also an activist for spreading awareness to preserve nature and natural resources. He is also now regarded as a forest scientist. Moreover, he is also involved in the profession of cattle farming. 

Molai Payeng Awards

Padma Shri awarded to Jadav in the year 2015 is one of the most important honors he has received in his entire life. The honourary doctorate he received from the universities is also quite remarkable. 

Molai Payeng Sources of Income

The major source of income for this exemplary farmer and environmentalist is from the cattle farming he is involved in. Apart from this, he might be receiving a lot of financial support from different corners of the world for the selfless activities he is doing for the well-being of nature and the humans dependent on it. 

Lesser Known Facts About Jadav Molai Payeng

Jadav has promised that he would plant till his last breath and this proves the strong determination and commitment he cherishes for mother nature.

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