“The education system should be like this: every kid should be asked to plant two trees.” -Jadav “Molai” Payeng

Having unwittingly found himself in the spotlight after being discovered by journalist and photographer Jitu Kalita, Molai has made efforts to increase public knowledge on reforestation and environmental conservation. He has spoken at universities and regularly hosts foreign dignitaries, conservationists and even tourists at his forest. However, Molai sees the education of future generations as a greater priority for conservation.

                                                                                              Molai sharing his knowledge and experiences during a TED talk in Bangalore

Molai has been outspoken about making Environmental Sciences a mandatory school subject. Furthermore, Molai’s view that each child should be exposed to planting a tree is strongly supported by research in environmental education. Essentially, a strong determinant of an individual’s affiliation with nature is one’s relationship and interactions with nature during childhood(Clayton & Meyers, 2009, p. 58). Also, outdoor-based environmental education programmes are effective at improving environmental attitudes, knowledge, and willingness to act proenvironmentally. (Bogner, 1998) Therefore, exposing children to planting and caring for trees can foster in them positive attitudes and knowledge on reforestation, and make them more likely to take action.

There is even a children’s storybook about Molai’s life. Openly-licensed and translated into 18 different languages, children all around the world can be inspired by his story! You can read the book here.

It is awe-inspiring to think about the impact on the environment an entire school cohort, or generation, of “Molais” could make, considering what he has achieved as just one individual. With well-structured educational programmes in place, this could become a reality!