In 1979 Jadav Payeng started planting trees on Majuli, the world’s largest river island. Since 1917, Majuli has lost more than half its mass, and the erosion increased rapidly in the latter half of the 20th century.
Knowing that he and his people’s home was in danger, Payeng took it upon himself to make a difference. His efforts were not in vain.
More than 30 years later, Payeng’s forest is bigger than Central Park, and it may be the very thing that saves his dying island.
In 2009 photographer Jitu Kalita stumbled upon Payeng’s forrest. He created the film below telling the story of a modern day Johnny Appleseed who proved that one man’s will can make a world of difference.