Arson scorches Assam forest created by Padma Shri awardee, Congress cries foul

Key Highlights

• The plantation is an extension of the famed Molai Kathoni forest created by Padma Shri awardee and environmentalist Jadav Payeng, widely known as the “Forest Man of India.”The fire broke out on Sunday evening on a sandbar near the Baghmora eco-camp.
• Forest Department officials said the blaze spread rapidly, destroying more than 5,500 saplings planted in 2022.
• Insects, rodents and other small animals were killed, though no human casualties were reported.
• An investigation has been ordered, and police along with forest officials are probing the incident. advertisementThe plantation work at Molai Kathoni 2.0 has been led by Payeng’s daughter, Munmi (also referred to as Munmuni) Payeng, who has been working with around 70 volunteers and local communities to regenerate green cover on vulnerable char areas.
• Inspired by her father’s legacy, she aims to plant one million native, flood-resistant trees across sandbars to combat erosion and floods on Majuli Island.