Padma Shri Jadav Payeng, the “forest man of India” will be now sharing his immense knowledge on environmental conservation with Mexican non-profit organization, Fundación Azteca and guide to help it raise more trees in Mexico.
Payeng is credited with single-handedly raising a forest sprawling over 550 acres in what once used to be a barren landscape in Majuli in Assam’s Jorhat district.
Locals have affectionately named this forest as “Molai Forest” after the man who has planted it.
The Molai Forest now abounds with a rich variety of plants as well as varied species of birds and wild animals.
Fundación Azteca, which has worked in the field of environment for two decades, now hopes to gain much insight from Payeng about activities that can aid in the conservation of the degrading eco-system of the world.
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“Not just Assam, but the world is my home,” a report quoted Payeng as saying.
He said that he was happy to share his knowledge and nature with people as he liked nature, animals and trees. This motivated him to do what he has done so far.
Under the new collaboration, Payeng will share his rich knowledge with different civil society organizations and youths of Mexico, thus motivating and guiding them to plant more trees in the country.
He will also be a part of a number of environment summits to be organized by the NGO.
“Humans have cut enough trees, doing undue harm to our world. It being our responsibility to save the environment, I want to guide the new generation in creating a new, green world,” said Payeng.
The environmentalist also received the 128th Commonwealth Points of Light Award from the Queen of England in March this year for his unending efforts to promote aforestation.
Payeng recently returned from Puebla in Mexico, where he had gone to attend the La Ciudad de las Ideas festival.