The documentary, Forest Man, highlights the work of one man Jadav Payeng, a Mishing tribe environmental activist and forestry worker from Jorhat, India. Payeng started planting trees on the barren land of Majuli Island when he was 17, in 1979. Since then his forest has grown to over 550 hectares, and serves as a home to various animals including rhinos, deers, and even tigers.
Jadav Payeng creates his forest in an effort to combat the serious results caused by erosion over the years. Erosion from the Brahmaputra river has decreased the size of Majuli significantly over the years but Payeng works everyday tending o his forest and planting trees in an effort to help save the island and those who call it home.
Jadav Payeng creates his forest in an effort to combat the serious results caused by erosion over the years. Erosion from the Brahmaputra river has decreased the size of Majuli significantly over the years but Payeng works everyday tending o his forest and planting trees in an effort to help save the island and those who call it home.
The documentary presents an interesting idea in that if one man can single-handedly create so much change in the world, what would happen if everyone put in a small effort to benefit their surrounding community, and perhaps even the world?
In answering the question “What change is needed in the world that only you can make?” I believe that I can make a change that is needed in the world simply by being more aware of other people. When people don’t receive warmth and empathy from other people, they feel isolated and that mind set can prove to have negative effects towards other people, animals and the surrounding environment-- it ends up being a vicious cycle. If people begin to recognize and appreciate the goodness in other people it allows for collaboration and possibly even movements to create change around the world.
An example close to home comes from a librarian at an elementary school in Manhattan who was inspired to create a “Birthday Books” project. This involves members of the Rotaract club (in which I belong) who wrap books for school children to receive on their birthday, after talking to various students who had never received a book as a present before. The students run in with huge smiles, eagerly waiting to pick out their books and show them to their families. For some children these books are the first that they have owned and prompts them to explore reading outside of an academic setting.
If everyone thinks about the needs of others, the positive feeling created allows everyone to experience a small wave of happiness.
I like how you summed up the documentary and then went on to tell your own person story. I thought the "Birthday Books" project was a great way to help. I'm sure it was very rewarding too. It is a great way to help others and it makes me want to come up with something similar to help make a difference to others.
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