Jadav Payeng

The 'Forest Man of India' who single-handedly created a 1,360-acre forest ecosystem

In 1979, 16-year-old Jadav "Molai" Payeng began planting trees on a barren sandbar in Assam's Brahmaputra River after witnessing massive wildlife deaths from drought. Over 40+ years, his relentless effort transformed 550 hectares into Molai Forest - larger than Central Park - hosting Bengal tigers, rhinos, and 115+ elephant herds.

Using traditional Mishing tribe knowledge, Payeng developed innovative soil retention techniques with bamboo and fast-growing trees. He carried red ants from nearby forests to improve soil fertility, demonstrating ecological understanding decades before mainstream permaculture movements.

This former milkman's forest now sequesters 1,000+ tons of CO2 annually and reversed erosion patterns in the Brahmaputra basin. His work inspired India's 2013 Forest Rights Act amendments recognizing individual reforestation rights.

Unlike institutional projects, Payeng's hyper-local approach proves how individual agency can combat climate change. NASA satellite images confirm his forest's expansion since 2013, serving as a living laboratory for ecological restoration. The UN awarded him the "Forest Hero" title in 2012, yet he continues living simply in a hut within his created ecosystem.