Cover image via Tree Hugger
He did it to save the island — his home
Image via YouTube William D McMaster
Every year, during the monsoon, the Brahmaputra river flood everything in sight, destroying homes and farms and eroding hundreds of square kilometers of land.
Image via YouTube William D McMaster
One of the most affected areas is Majuli island. Majuli is one of the world's largest river islands and is home to 170,000 people.
Image via YouTube William D McMaster
The rate of erosion in Majuli island accelerates as the years go by. Recently, scientists announced that in 15 to 20 years, Majuli island could completely disappear.
Image via YouTube William D McMaster
Image via YouTube William D McMaster
Wildlife photographer, [Jitu Kalita] (http://angkor-photo.com/programme/jitu-kalita/), was photographing wild birds in Majuli when he noticed this forest in the middle of the barren wasteland. His curiosity led him to the man he saw walking to the forest — who was the "Forest Man" after all.
Image via YouTube William D McMaster
Kalita discovered that since 1979, islander [Jadav "Forest Man" Payeng] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jadav_Payeng) was the one who single-handedly planted the entire forest — including 300 hectares of bamboo!
Image via YouTube William D McMaster
Inspired by Payeng's story, Kalita wrote an article about him which became the turning point of the Forest Man's life.
Image via YouTube William D McMaster
"In 1979, Jadav Payeng started to plant a forest. It all began with a dream he had to plant trees on barren land for small animals and birds to build their homes on the tree tops. No one, including him, had the slightest idea that his effort would give birth to an entire forest on Majuli island in India," said Jitu Kalita, as posted on Angkor Photo's [website] (http://angkor-photo.com/programme/jitu-kalita/).
Payeng's work provided a habitat for several endangered animals (a herd of 100 elephants, Bengal tigers, and a species of vulture) which have not been seen on the island in over 40 years!
Image via Colossal
Image via Colossal
Image via Colossal
Image via Discover Newer Horizons
Image via TiCATi
Image via YouTube William D McMaster
Filmmaker [William Douglas McMaster] (https://www.facebook.com/wdmcmaster) wrote and directed the "Forest Man" documentary from the perspective of the photographer and Peyang's newfound friend, Jitu Kalita
Image via Telegraph India
Image via YouTube William D McMaster
Watch this brilliant documentary and be inspired from the life of Jadav Payeng as you plant your own forest, one tree at a time 🙂
This film project was funded in 2013 through [Kickstarter] (https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/59012691/forest-man-post-production).
