Forest Man

Humble yet passionate and philosophical about his work Jadev Payeng tells the story of how he decided to make a forest.

Since the 1970's Majuli islander Jadav Payeng has been planting trees in order to save his island. To date he has single handedly planted a forest larger than Central Park in New York. His forest has transformed what was once a barren wasteland, into a lush oasis, home to endangered species and so much more.

Humble yet passionate and philosophical about his work, Payeng takes us on a journey into his incredible forest.

“The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now.” – Chinese proverb
Forest Man

An agricultural scientist once said to Jadev, "plant trees and they will take care of us".

So, when he saw his home, Majuli island, turning into a desert, that’s exactly what he decided to do. Over the course of several decades he restored a landscape and he speaks passionately about biodiversity, climate change and the environment, in India and abroad. He is now helping non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in other countries plant trees and create forests too.

“The planting of a tree is a modest form of immortality and one of the few truly long-term expressions of hope to mortal human beings.” – Voltaire

Dan Broun
Dan Broun
Kuno Earth Media Centre Manager
Dan Broun is an experienced photo-journalist and passionate advocate for wild nature


Share

You might like...

Mahatma K Gandhi

Gandhi - on non-violence

Mahatma Gandhi was a lawyer who employed the principle of nonviolent resistance to successfully lead the campaign for India's independence from British rule. In this short film he talks about the principle of non-violence.

Read more
Swift Parrots on Branch Rob Blakers

Amazing encounter with a flock of Swifties

Lyndel Wilson describes a very special encounter with a flock of critically endangered Swift Parrots

Read more
Peregrine1 on Bruny Kim Murray

Raptors on Bruny Island

Bruny Island has a splendid array of raptors, from Boobook owls to Peregrine falcons, Hobbys and the magnificent White-Bellied Sea Eagle and Wedge-Tailed Eagle.

Read more
Pardalote Day Dan Broun

Bruny Kids - Nature webpage project

The Bruny Kids webpage is an exciting new project that aims to provide a platform for younger writers to be showcased, and to support children’s connection with and understanding of Nature. 

Read more

Newsletter

Sign up to keep in touch with articles, updates, events or news from Kuno, your platform for nature