The Forest Queen of Majuli
Daughter of Padma Shri awardee Jadav Payeng, the 'Forest Man of India,' who famously turned barren land into the lush Molai forest, Munmuni's own journey began in 2022, when she assembled a grassroots team of around 60 people. Their mission: reforest the flood-ravaged zones across Majuli using only native species. 'There were no trees when we started. Now, slowly, the land is changing,' smiles the 25-year-old.
Each morning, her team packs food, gathers tools, loads saplings or seeds, and crosses the river to reach planting zones. During the March-to-May planting window—when survival rates are highest—they plant 3,000 saplings a day. The team collects seeds from the Molai forest, grows them in community-run nurseries, and plants them across erosion-prone sandbars and river isles. They revisit sites, monitor growth, and replant where needed. By early 2024, the team had already crossed the one-million-trees mark. 'We weren't counting on a milestone. It was only later that we realised how far we'd come,' says the young woman.
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New Indian Express
4 days ago
- New Indian Express
The Forest Queen of Majuli
On a misty morning in Majuli, Assam's ever-eroding river island, a barefoot woman hoists a sack of saplings over her shoulder and steps into a waiting boat. The river is high, the current restless, but she's done this hundreds of times. As she balances against the rocking vessel, a villager on the bank calls out, 'Forest Queen!' Munmuni Payeng smiles, nods, and keeps moving. There are trees to plant. Daughter of Padma Shri awardee Jadav Payeng, the 'Forest Man of India,' who famously turned barren land into the lush Molai forest, Munmuni's own journey began in 2022, when she assembled a grassroots team of around 60 people. Their mission: reforest the flood-ravaged zones across Majuli using only native species. 'There were no trees when we started. Now, slowly, the land is changing,' smiles the 25-year-old. Each morning, her team packs food, gathers tools, loads saplings or seeds, and crosses the river to reach planting zones. During the March-to-May planting window—when survival rates are highest—they plant 3,000 saplings a day. The team collects seeds from the Molai forest, grows them in community-run nurseries, and plants them across erosion-prone sandbars and river isles. They revisit sites, monitor growth, and replant where needed. By early 2024, the team had already crossed the one-million-trees mark. 'We weren't counting on a milestone. It was only later that we realised how far we'd come,' says the young woman.
The Hindu
5 days ago
- The Hindu
Tree man of Telangana, Daripalli Ramaiah's legacy erased before his death
Daripalli Ramaiah, also called Vanajeevi Ramaiah for his monumental efforts towards afforestation in Khammam district, and for his campaign for plantation drives, may have received the most uncharitable tribute before his death. That too from the very same government that had honoured his work with the 'Padma Shri' award eight years before. Hundreds of seedlings he had planted 25-30 years ago on the road margins of his village and beyond, which had grown into magnificent trees, got axed towards the end of 2024 for the widening of the national highway. The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways had approved the ongoing widening of the Khammam-Kuravi stretch and sanctioned ₹140 crore for the same. This is part of the 39 national highway projects sanctioned by the Central government at ₹5,658 crore. The 37 km section of National Highway 365A was to be expanded from single lane to double lane, as per the project specification. The road had a thick canopy of fully grown trees, planted and nurtured for decades by Mr. Ramaiah. 'The road was totally covered from end to end by the canopies of the trees on both sides. Officials from the National Highways visited our father and informed him that the road had to be widened if accidents were to be prevented. He could not say no to it, but felt miserable for days,' recalled Daripalli Kanakaiah, Mr. Ramaiah's son. Mr. Ramaiah, 87, requested the authorities to allow him to replant the road margins once the road work was finished, but did not live long enough to fulfil his wish. Kanakaiah remembered that his father would start at 6 a.m., carrying water cans on his bicycle, and water the saplings up to 11 a.m. Post lunch and a short nap, his work would begin again. Ramaiah even sold part of his land for this endeavour and grew trees in the rest of the land. During his lifetime, he planted and donated crores of saplings and seeds. Many of the planted varieties on the road were rain trees and pongamia, apart from native species such as tamarind, bael and other fruit bearing trees. A tamarind tree which is now gone, was right near the door step of Mr. Ramaiah at Reddypalli, in the shade of which the barefoot environmentalist rested often. Naresh Jilla, the biographer and close associate of Mr. Ramaiah, recalled that he had conducted a photo shoot for the book in January 2024, with the trees in the background. 'Later, I got busy with my work and the book, and could not visit the place till Mr. Ramaiah passed away in April. I was in for a shock to learn that all the trees had gone by then,' Mr. Jilla said, recalling that the trees, around a thousand, were planted between Reddypalli and Nayudupet villages, covering four km. 'The government, which had granted him Padma Shri for his lifelong effort, thought it fit to erase the same to facilitate a road. How much more dystopian could it get? In any other country, trees would have been saved for their heritage, but not here,' said Udaykrishna Peddireddi from Vata Foundation, who brought the incident to light.
Indian Express
12-08-2025
- Indian Express
Raveena Tandon reflects on her ‘vow' to turn vegetarian over 11 years ago: ‘It just hits you one day'
Raveena Tandon, 52, who was once a hardcore non-vegetarian, reflected on her decision to adopt a vegetarian lifestyle. 'Turning vegetarian has to come from within. I have also been brought up in a home where mutton, chicken, brain pao, or bheja fry, as well as keema pao, were all absolutely normal to eat. But I think it just hits you one day. And since the past 11-12 years, I have been off any meats and stuff,' the Patna Shukla actor said on Amy Aela's podcast in April 2025, which also featured Sudhir Kudalkar, founder of the PAL Welfare Foundation. Revealing how she took the vow, Raveena said, 'This happened to me when we had gone to a temple, and there I actually saw two lambs being sacrificed. And their screams…of little lambs…I just couldn't hold back my tears…In that very temple, I took a vow…from today onward, I will never eat it again.' Taking a cue from the Padma Shri recipient and Goodwill Wildlife Ambassador for Maharashtra, let's explore how transitioning from a non-vegetarian to a vegetarian setup requires a mindset shift. Delnna Rrajesh, psychotherapist, energy healer, and life coach, said it reflected a moment that many people experience—but rarely act on. Her words, 'It just hits you one day,' carry profound psychological truth, Delnna said. 'Raveena's story is a powerful reminder that sometimes, you don't need a lecture or a campaign to change. All it takes is a moment of unbearable empathy—a moment so honest, you can't un-feel it. Transformation doesn't always happen through logic. It occurs when an emotional experience resonates so deeply that it shifts your identity, values, and inner compass. What Raveena experienced is known as a 'liminal moment'—an internal doorway between the life you've known and the life you now feel called to live,' shared Delnna. Making a decision like this—especially when you've grown up around kebabs, keema pav, and bheja fry—is not about rules or trendiness. 'It's about alignment. About choosing to live in a way that matches your inner sense of empathy, peace, and awareness,' Delnna continued, adding that when this alignment is soul-led, it is not difficult, 'it is freeing'. A post shared by Amy Aela (@kindnesswithamy) Don't force it. Let it emerge Vegetarianism that stems from guilt rarely lasts. The shift is most potent when it is rooted in compassion—not coercion. Let your awareness guide your plate, said Delnna. Take one step at a time You don't need to cut everything overnight. 'Start with one day a week. Or one meal a day. Let your body and emotions adjust gently,' said Delnna. Let your mindset catch up with your plate This isn't just about food. It's about values, identity, and belonging. According to Delnna, using affirmations like, 'I choose compassion over craving' or 'Every meal is an offering of peace', can help. Create a circle of support Connect with people who understand your shift. 'Isolation can trigger doubt or guilt. Community nurtures change,' said Delnna. Learn nutritional wisdom A good vegetarian diet isn't just about cutting meat—it's about consciously choosing balance, nourishment, and variety. Consult a nutritionist if needed. Reflect on what moved you Keep a journal. Whether it was a story, a spiritual experience, or a moral conviction—record it. 'These reflections are anchors for moments when cravings or questions arise,' said Delnna.
