‘Forest Man’ Jadav Payeng’s story from Assam features in US school’s curriculum

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GUWAHATI:

The story of the ‘Forest Man of India’, as Padma Shri Jadav ‘Molai’ Payeng from Assam is popularly known as, is inspiring students in an American school to love nature and save the environment.

The Greene Hills School in Bristol, Connecticut (United States of America) has included in its 6th grade curriculum the incredible achievement of the forestry worker from Majuli in eastern Assam, who, concerned over the ecological degradation in his native area, single-handedly transformed a barren sandbar of the Brahmaputra river into a 550 hectare forest by planting trees.

‘Molai Forest’ (named after the 57-year-old environment activist), which continues to grow till date, is near Kokilamukh of Jorhat and now home to various species of plants and animals.

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When contacted on Monday, Payeng said that though there has been no official communication from the US institution, he was pleased to have known that his story would now inspire children in America.

Lauding the honour given on Payeng by the American school, Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal congratulated him and requested the people of the state and country to take inspiration from the work of environment activist.

In a tweet, Sonowal said, “Inclusion of the ‘Forest Man of India’ in the curriculum of an American educational institution reflects his global reputation. This is a proud moment for Assam. I urge everyone to take inspiration from his work and together strive to protect and conserve our environment and biodiversity.”