Jadav Payang couldn’t believe his eyes as he gazed at the vast, distant forest. For a moment, he thought he was dreaming. The dense green expanse stretched out like a paradise, a refuge for animals and trees grown under his watchful care.
As he ventured deeper into the forest, Payang’s mind raced. He wasn’t just a man walking through the trees. He felt like a protector, a guardian of this living kingdom. Memories of his youth flashed before him—how he had planted saplings on the barren sandbanks of the Brahmaputra River, driven by the dream of creating a forest where none existed. And now, decades later, Molai Forest stands as proof of his relentless dedication.
As a humble man tending the earth, many saw Payang as a vassal. But Payang knew his mission was sacred. People had come from around the world to witness his forest, to hear the story of how one man could transform a desolate landscape into a thriving ecosystem. Jitu, a local writer, even chronicled the tale of India's forest men, singling out Payang’s Molai Forest as a symbol of hope and perseverance.
In 2015, the Indian government recognized Payang’s work, bestowing upon him the prestigious Padma Shri award. But for Payang, the greatest reward wasn’t the accolades or recognition. It was the life that flourished around him—the trees he had planted, the animals that found shelter, and the people who had come to understand the true value of nature.
When asked about his work, Payang would always smile and say, "Nature is God. Cutting these trees will get you nothing. If you must, cut me before you cut my trees."
This unwavering devotion made Jadav Payang a legend, a symbol of resilience in a world often focused on destruction. And so, Payang continues to walk among his trees, protecting them as a guardian, knowing that his forest is not just a testament to his labor but to the spirit of conservation that lives within him..
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