Man Single Handedly Plants Entire Forest, Lives In It With Animals
A little more than 30 years ago, a teenager named Jadav “Molai” Payeng began burying seeds along a barren sandbar near his birthplace in northern India’s Assam region to grow a refuge for wildlife.
It started out as a hobby he would undertake on the weekends.
Not long after, he decided to dedicate his life to this endeavour.
He moved to the site so he could work full-time creating a lush new forest ecosystem.
Incredibly, the spot today hosts a sprawling 1,360 acres of jungle that Payeng planted single-handedly.
Payeng’s work has been credited with significantly fortifying the island, while providing a habitat for several endangered animals which have returned to the area.
Within the haven exists a herd of nearly 100 elephants (that have since given birth to an additional 10).
Great Indian one horn rhinoceros, Bengal tigers, swamp deer and even a species of vulture that hasn’t been seen on the island in over 40 years.
The forest is around 1,300 acres, or roughly the size of Central Park.
New species of plants and animals are popping up on a weekly basis.
He spends his days maintaining the fauna and planting new shrubs.
He is not totally alone though. He shares his small hut with a wife and three children. They make their living selling cow and buffalo milk.
It’s remarkable what one person can achieve if they’re passionate about something.
His passion was rewarded when a film studio approached him about making a documentary. Check the video below.