SHIMLA: “Try to plant as many as trees in a vacant land around you as you can”, says Jadav Molai Payeng, a Padma Shree, a legendary Forestman of India.

Payeng's success story unfolds like a brash new Green mantra that can inspire millions, not only across Himalayan states, but also across India.  

Payeng has raised an amazing 550 hectares of green forest in the sandbar of Brahmaputra river near Kokilamukh in Jorhat in Assam single-handedly.

In a befitting tribute to this Green Himalayan man from Assam, the government has named the forest as 'Molai Forest' spanning over 550 hectare area- a manmade breathing living ecosystem.

Payeng shares his story here in the capital city of Shimla at the special programme on ‘Impact of climate change in the Himalayan region’.

It was organized by Himalayan Forest Research Institute here on December 28.

Payeng has not done it through any magic wand or hiring people workers.  

In fact, Payeng has been planting trees tirelessly and selflessly in the region in Assam for the long 35 years. He is continuing to do so.        

Because of his green passion, Payeng is now  an environmental activist known as the Forest Man of India.

To encourage participants, he cited his example here to the particates as to how he single-handedly worked tirelessly for 30-35 years to plant trees and take care of the sandbar in the Brahmaputra River. Today  it has turned  into a forest reserve, he adds.

He says that we should also try to plant as many trees as possible in the vacant land around us. This would change climate scenario in India. 

Payeng's story came as a big inspiration for about 80 people who participated in HFRI program here. They included scientists, officers, employees, research scholars and field staff and got a first real time success story to deepen their insights.

This programe was organised under the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav by HFRI.

Complementing Payeng’s success story,  Dr. Jagdish Singh, Scientist-F and Head Extension division, HFRI talked about the Effects of climate change and challenges in the Himalayan Region.

He expressed concern over the changes in the weather.  “Due  to the changing weather the zone of species occurrence is shifting in the region”, Dr Singh observed.

He further said snowfall in November-December is vital for  ecology.

The growing winter tourism is also throwing up new challenges and opportunities in the Himalayan region.

He said that due to climate change, the tree-line is also moving towards higher areas. Dr. Vaneet Jishtu, Scientist-E, a keynote speaker talked about “Our Warming Planet”.

Dr Jishtu  highlighted the issues of Global Warming, International Treaty Kyoto Protocol, and Paris Agreement.

He talked about the five main steps that can be taken to beat climate change. These are simple but need daily practice on the part of public.

These five steps include commitment, participation, healthy habits, environmental awareness, efficiency and innovation, Dr Jishtu said.

He says we can learn continuously, adapt ourselves according to the situation and live a happy life accordingly.

Dr. Sandeep Sharma, Director, HFRI Shimla, cited the story of Payeng in Assam that can serve as a present example to derive inspiration for all stakeholders in the Himalayan region.

He urged participants to follow his green mantra and put it in practice to spread forest cover in the vacant zone.