Munmuni Payeng: Continuing Her Father's Legacy of Environmental Restoration

A New Chapter in Environmental Conservation

Jorhat, August 1: Munmuni Payeng, the daughter of the famed 'Forest Man of India,' Jadav Payeng, is passionately carrying forward her father's environmental mission by greening the sandy banks of the Brahmaputra River in Assam.

In a remarkable achievement over the past two years, she and her dedicated team have successfully planted more than 1 million trees, aiming to restore biodiversity, combat climate change, and fulfill her father's vision.

Jadav Payeng, honored with the Padma Shri, transformed a barren sandbar into a thriving forest known as 'Mulai Kathoni' over many years. Inspired by his legacy, Munmuni has initiated 'Mulai Kathoni 2.0,' uniting around 60 villagers, environmentalists, and community members under the Sustainable Green Initiative and Climate Justice.

"This initiative began in 2022 with backing from the Sustainable Green Initiative and Climate Justice. My father's dream was always to green the banks of the Brahmaputra. He would remind us daily to plant trees and give back to nature," Munmuni shared.

Despite facing challenges, including the loss of many saplings in the sandy soil, Munmuni and her team remained resolute.

“Initially, only a few saplings survived. However, we persevered. From 2022 to 2024, we managed to plant 1 million trees. It was a lengthy and labor-intensive process,” she explained.

Her initiative is a collective effort, supported by her brothers and nephews, with a close-knit team of villagers gathering seeds, nurturing saplings, and planting local species such as Bakul, Neem, Bor, Titachapa, and Simolu, all selected for their resilience to flooding and ecological importance.

“Our goal is to create another Mulai Kathoni. I feel fortunate that my father taught me the art of planting trees when I was just two-and-a-half years old. This is my tribute to his legacy,” Munmuni expressed.

Her efforts have extended beyond Jorhat and Majuli, as her team has responded to requests for tree planting from Guwahati, Sivasagar, Dibrugarh, and other regions. This grassroots movement also aims to engage the youth and foster a climate-conscious generation.

“I aspire to motivate the younger generation. If we don’t act now, the planet will not wait for us. Trees provide oxygen, life, and hope,” she emphasized.

The Payeng family's commitment to forest restoration now spans two generations, transforming extensive riverine sandbanks into ecological havens. Munmuni stressed that her work goes beyond mere symbolism.

"This is not just about planting numbers. Each tree we plant represents a promise to the future. We nurture them daily,” she added.

With her father's guidance and unwavering community support, Munmuni Payeng embodies hope, determination, and a commitment to intergenerational climate action.