The Forest Man of India

When we moved to Halifax more than a decade ago our son Isaac was heading into Grade 12, a tough time to change high schools. Fortunately he was befriended by several guys, they eventually formed a band, and they lived together at university for a year.

The five of them are men in their thirties now and Ike was back in Nova Scotia to officiate at the wedding of one this past weekend.  They spent time together and Isaac sent me the link to an award-winning documentary film which another of these men, Mike, helped create about an Indian version of a ramped-up modern Johnny Appleseed called Forest Man. Mike is on the right. If you have fifteen minutes -and you know you do- you can watch the shortened version.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=youtu.be&v=HkZDSqyE1do&app=desktop

 

 

 

Jadav Payeng, the man whose story is told, has single-handedly planted trees in a 1400 acre area, or roughly 150 percent the size of Central Park in New York. This forest on an estuary island had been clear-cut and was barren. Without government help or funding he began planting and over time has risked his life protecting this forest from poachers and loggers. The trees have helped curb erosion significantly. Birds and animals have returned and we're not talking chipmunks. Elephants, rhinos, tigers, deer have all made this forest their home for at least part of the year. It is a remarkable, moving story of human determination against the odds.

As we approach Creation Time in the liturgical calendar I am thinking about hope in the face of environmental degradation and how we overcome cynicism and despair and selfishness. We seem so much better at desecrating the planet than making it sacred and livable. This story certainly gave me hope for what one individual without resources or official support can do. We watch him plant one tree at a time.

Surely as affluent members of a wealthy culture can figure out how to make a difference in our world. Doesn't our faith direct us to do so?

Congratulations to Mike and the others who brought this story to us. But it really is about Jadav Payeng and his remarkable determination.

Thoughts?