Off The Record
In 1979 this man began planting trees. 43 years later he was stunned by what he created
“I will continue to plant until my last breath.”
Deforestation is clearing Earth’s forests on a massive scale, often resulting in damage to the quality of the land. Forests still cover about 30 percent of the world’s land area, but swaths half the size of England are lost each year.
The world’s rain forests could completely vanish in a hundred years at the current rate of deforestation.
But only a single person with huge desire can make a massive impact on the world.
Since 1979, Jadav Payeng has single handily planted a forest bigger than Central Park.
The dedicated arborist managed to turn an eroding wasteland into a tropical paradise for humans and animals.
115 elephants, rhino, deer, and tigers call the 550-hectare forest home.
Payeng has a dream to restore his home island of Majuli and neighboring Jorhat with the beautiful forests that once covered them.
Agricultural development and human influence destroyed the natural beauty of his home, but Payeng is doing his part to bring the ecosystem back.
He’s a man on a mission and proves that small acts every day can add up to tremendous change over time!
“I tell them, cutting my trees will get you nothing. Cut me before you cut my trees!”
Check out his beautiful story in the video below:
https://www.facebook.com/natgeo/videos/10153621205673951/
Here’s the full video:
Inspired by Inspire More
Source: National Geographic
