Majuli, Assam: A suspected arson attack has damaged a significant portion of Molai Kathoni 2.0, the ambitious reforestation project led by Padma Shri awardee Jadav Payeng and his daughter, Munmi Payeng.
The incident, which occurred this past Sunday, has sparked outrage among environmentalists and raised urgent questions regarding the safety of grassroots conservation efforts along the fragile Brahmaputra river system.
According to preliminary reports, a fire broke out on a newly formed sandbar where plantation activities have been underway for the past two years. The blaze reportedly damaged young saplings and resulted in the death of several birds and small animals. While the full extent of the damage is yet to be assessed, timely intervention by volunteers helped prevent the fire from spreading further.
Jadav Payeng, a Padma Shri awardee, said his daughter Munmi Payeng and other members of the project rushed to the site and managed to bring the fire under control. “Nearly one million saplings were planted across around 7.5 bighas of land. A portion has been damaged, but the quick response saved the plantation from complete destruction,” he said.
Police officials said initial findings suggest the fire was deliberately set. Senior Superintendent of Police Horen Tokbi confirmed that a joint team of police and forest officials visited the site and launched an investigation. “More valuable plants were not destroyed. We are probing the matter, though no formal complaint has been lodged yet,” he said.
Molai Kathoni 2.0 was launched in 2022 under the leadership of Munmi Payeng to restore degraded river islands, or char lands, that are highly vulnerable to erosion. With the support of nearly 70 volunteers, the project focuses on planting native and flood-resistant species to stabilise sandbars and regenerate the fragile Brahmaputra ecosystem.
Munmi Payeng has been actively expanding afforestation efforts in sensitive riverine zones, particularly around Majuli Island, which continues to face severe erosion. Working closely with local communities and indigenous groups, the initiative aims to protect biodiversity while improving environmental resilience.
Expressing concern over the incident, Munmi Payeng said their work was solely aimed at protecting nature and improving the environment. She added that the suspected arson could be linked to opposition from those involved in sand extraction, an activity her father has publicly opposed. “We cannot say who was behind this, but we want a proper investigation,” she said.
Since 2022, Jadav Payeng has undertaken afforestation across nearly 1,300 hectares with the support of organisations such as Sustainable Green Initiative and Climate Justice People. By 2024, the programme had crossed a major milestone, with over one million saplings planted.
The incident has alarmed environmental groups and conservationists, who fear such attacks could undermine long-term efforts to protect the Brahmaputra’s fragile ecosystem. Supporters of the Molai Kathoni projects have called for increased security and surveillance in afforestation zones.
Authorities have assured that damaged areas will be restored and that enhanced protective measures will be implemented to safeguard the Molai forest and associated reforestation initiatives. Authorities have pledged to help restore the damaged areas and have promised enhanced protective measures for the environmentally sensitive Molai forest region. For the people of Majuli, the fire serves as a stark reminder of the risks faced by those on the front lines of climate restoration.
Outcry from the Community
The incident has triggered a wave of condemnation from environmentalists and political leaders alike. APCC President Gaurav Gogoi and other officials have called for a judicial inquiry and the immediate cancellation of sand mining licenses in the area to protect the ecological integrity of the Brahmaputra river system.
Supporters are now calling for increased security surveillance in afforestation zones to ensure that years of hard work by the “Forest Man” and his family are not sabotaged by vested interests.
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