The Majuli River Island, the largest in the world has been shrinking because of soil erosion for the past 70 years. In fact, 35 villages have already been wiped away since 1991. The Indian government has been trying to find ways to help the island but an activist for the environment, Jadav Payeng, resolved to do his part.
Since 1979, when he was just 16 years old, he saw a huge group of snakes that died because of extreme heat from the sandbar without trees. He then made it his mission to plant trees in Majuli for the rest of his life.
He has so far planted 550 hectares, bigger than NY’s Central Park which is at 340 hectares. The forest now has 100 elephants, rhinoceroses, and Bengal tigers who live in it.
Majuli Island is home to Jadav Payeng
Image credits: Jitu Kalita
Image credits: 101 India
Image credits: William D McMaster
Image credits: Theforestmanofindia
Image credits: William D McMaster
Image credits: bijitdutta
Image credits: bijitdutta
Image credits: bijitdutta
Image credits: 101 India
Image credits: William D McMaster
Image credits: 101 India
Image credits: 101 India
The structures in the embankments are causing erosion but they were built for protection against monsoons.
Image credits: William D McMaster
Image credits: William D McMaster
If you are interested to know more about Jadav Payeng, who has been known as the “Forest Man of India,” and his plight against the shrinking of his beloved Majuli Island, you can check out the documentary video below.
A lot of people salute him for what he has done and continues to do.
