Skip to content Skip to navigation

Environmental Activist Jadav Payeng Calls for Global Lockdown to Restore Ecosystem Balance

Jadav Payeng, also known as the Forest Man of India and a Padma Shri awardee environmentalist, has called for a week-long global lockdown to strike a balance in the ecosystem. Speaking on the theme ‘Indigenous Knowledge System’ at the Bodoland International Knowledge Festival at Bodoland University in Kokrajhar, Payeng expressed his serious concern about global warming and urged global leaders to take action towards conserving the environment and nature.

In his speech, Payeng emphasized that the concept ‘God is nature and nature is God’ and shared his personal experience of how giving a lockdown for a week in a year globally could help restore the balance of the ecosystem. He has also written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to preserve forests and green cover in India, highlighting that development at the cost of nature is a curse.

Payeng further advocated for 60 percent reservation for women, as he believes that they play a vital role in building human resource and eventually, this will help in striking the balance of the ecosystem. Addressing the students, Payeng recalled his early days when he started planting trees in 1979, which eventually turned out to be a huge forest after 30 years.

The Bodoland International Knowledge Festival at Bodoland University in Kokrajhar is being organised by Bodoland University under the aegis of the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR) government. On the second day of the festival, several seminars took place on themes like quality education, sustainable agriculture, behavior change, science & technology, gender empowerment, communication and media, human rights, child rights & protection and peace building among others.

The festival was inaugurated on Monday in the presence of several dignitaries, including Nobel laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus, Padma Shri awardee philanthropist and diamond exporter Savji Bhai Dholakia, SECMOL founder Sonam Wangchuk, Bollywood actor and philanthropist Vivek Oberoi among others. An orientation workshop on information, media and communication was also held on the occasion with Dr Bihung Brahma in the chair, and eminent journalist and information commissioner of Assam government, Dr Samudra Gupta Kashyap, and noted journalist from IIMC, New Delhi Pramod Kumar were graced as resource persons.

The Bodoland International Knowledge Festival provides a platform for discussing and sharing ideas on various themes, including sustainable agriculture, gender empowerment, and human rights, among others.

Author info

AT Kokrajhar Bureau's picture

Assam Times Kokrajhar bureau office, BTAD.

Add new comment

Assamese Translator

Assam Times seeks English to Assamese translators!
Join our volunteer team.
Email editor@assamtimes.org.

Random Stories

Himanta facing anti-defection!

15 Sep 2015 - 8:37pm | AT News
Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma who quit as Congress MLA from Jalukbari constituency is likely to face the anti defection law. Assam Assembly Speaker Pranab Kumar Gogoi who received his letter on Tuesday...

Gorkhas of Assam extends support to Gorkhaland demand

16 Jul 2008 - 12:16am | Nanda Kirati Dewan
Chief spokesperson of Gorkha Autonomous Council Demand Committee (GACDC) the political wing of All Assam Gorkha Students' Union (AAGSU) in Assam Mr. Purna Chetri speaking as a Special Guest of Honour...

Indefinite curfew at Dimapur

Rape allegation false!

7 Mar 2015 - 8:42pm | AT News
Hours after Assam Times raised doubts over veracity of the rape accusation against Syed Farid Khan in Dimapur Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi unofficially admitted that no rape incident took place....

Police kill ULFA at Lichubari Hillock near Hengerabari, GHY on Thursday Evening

10 Aug 2007 - 12:13am | editor
Guwahati :Police killed one and captured four in an encounter with ULFA operatives in Lichchubari hillock, near Hengerabari, a residential area which is hardly one and a half kilometers away from...

Other Contents by Author

Kokrajhar, Dec 16: The government of Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR) celebrated its fourth anniversary on Sunday with a grand event that highlighted the contributions of individuals and organizations toward the development of the region. A major highlight of the event was the conferring of the Jwhwlao Nileswar Brahma Cultural Award 2024 to noted Bodo folk singer and comedian actor Gunabati Basumatary, popularly known as Dangkhw Lwdw. The award, presented by the Cultural Affairs Department, Government of BTR, included a citation, an endi shawl, a memento, and a cheque worth ₹2 lakh. Gunabati Basumatary, a beloved figure in Bodo culture, has made significant contributions to preserving...
Kokrajhar district is grappling with a significant malaria outbreak, with 1,991 cases reported up to November 20, 2024, marking a stark rise from 256 cases recorded in 2023. The outbreak has resulted in two fatalities in the past week, including that of a young child. On the morning of November 22, 27-year-old Jwngsar Wary from Aitugaon village under Kokrajhar Sadar Police Station succumbed to malaria at MRM Memorial Hospital, Kokrajhar. He had been admitted on November 19 but could not recover despite treatment. Earlier, on November 17, four-year-old Shivani Monger from Saralpara passed away at Sarfang Hospital in Bhutan, where her family had taken her for treatment. The sharp...
The ex-National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) Welfare Association has called for general amnesty for all leaders, members, and cadres still imprisoned despite the BTR Peace Accord signed on January 27, 2020. A six-member delegation from the association met AK Mishra, Adviser to the North East Division, Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), in New Delhi, submitting a memorandum addressed to Union Home Minister Amit Shah. The delegation, led by President Rujugra Mwchahary and General Secretary Dilranjan Narzary, highlighted concerns about detained individuals, including Ranjan Daimari, founding President of the former NDFB and a signatory to the peace accord, who remains in Guwahati...
The first-ever Bodoland Mohotsov, a grand cultural event, is set to commence on Friday with a two-day program at the SAI Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium, New Delhi. Organized under the theme “Ethos of Peace and Harmony: An Integral Part of Nation Building,” the event is spearheaded by the All Bodo Students Union (ABSU), Bodo Sahitya Sabha, and Dularai Bodo Harimu Afad, in collaboration with the Government of the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR). The Mohotsov coincides with the 73rd foundation day celebration of the Bodo Sahitya Sabha (Bodo Thunlai Saan), which will be observed on Saturday, November 16. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will grace the occasion as the chief guest on Friday...
KOKRAJHAR, OCT 28: Three candidates are set to contest the upcoming bye-elections in the 31 No. Sidli Legislative Assembly Constituency (ST) scheduled for November 13 in Chirang district, along with four other constituencies in Assam. Today marked the last day for withdrawal of nominations, confirming three candidates as valid contenders in Sidli LAC’s bye-election. The contest will feature a triangular battle between Nirmal Kumar Brahma of the UPPL, backed by the NDA alliance; Suddha Kumar Basumatary of the BPF; and Sanjib Wary of the Congress. The Chirang District Commissioner and Sidli LAC Returning Officer confirmed the final list of candidates and outlined preparations to ensure...
The Assam women's team has emerged victorious in the senior national Tchoukball championship 2024, held at Nagour Khandhenu in Joypur, Rajasthan. In a thrilling final, Assam defeated Punjab by 7 points to secure the top spot. Meanwhile, the Punjab men's team claimed the championship title in the men's category. Maharashtra and West Bengal finished second and third, respectively. A total of 22 states participated in the four-day tournament, which concluded on Friday. Upon their return, the Assam women's team was warmly welcomed at Kokrajhar railway station by the Assam State Tchoukball Association. The team members were greeted with bouquets and traditional Aronai by the association's...
The Manas National Park & Tiger Reserve in Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR) is set to welcome visitors once again starting today, September 27, marking the end of the monsoon closure period mandated by the Government of India. In a notice issued by Dr. C. Ramesh, Chief Conservator of Forests & Field Director of Manas Tiger Reserve, the park will be open to the public six days a week during the 2024-25 ecotourism season. To ensure conservation efforts, the park will remain closed to visitors every Wednesday throughout the season. To celebrate World Tourism Day 2024, the department of Tourism, Government of Assam, in partnership with Bodoland Tourism, will host a grand event at...
The 36th Martyr's Day of the former NDFB was commemorated at the Kajiamati Thulunga Fwthar in Udalguri on Saturday with a day-long program. The event, organized by former NDFB members in association with the Bangburgwra Foundation, Udalguri, paid tribute to the dedication and sacrifice of the NDFB martyrs. The day is observed annually on September 14th to mark the death anniversary of Bangburgwra Boro, the organization's first martyr. Several dignitaries, including BTR CEM Pramod Boro, ABSU president Dipen Boro, and BTR executive members, attended the event to honor the martyrs and their contributions to the Bodo movement for a separate homeland. An open session was held as part of...
KOKRAJHAR: The 10th edition of National Handloom Day 2024 was celebrated at Tukrajhar, Bengtol in Chirang district on Wednesday. The event was organised by the Department of Handloom & Textile, government of Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR), where several hundred weavers and cluster workers participated from different areas of the BTR districts. Several handloom clusters were accorded financial assistance under the Bodoland Handloom Mission, government of Bodoland Territorial Region, to extend support while producing multiple handloom products in the Bodoland region. The executive members of Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR), Dhananjay Basumatary, Ranjit Basumatary, Daobaisa Boro,...
KOKRAJHAR, JULY 28: The 10th edition of the Asia Pacific Tchoukball Championship, 2024, concluded on Sunday with a three-day event held in Hong Kong, China. A 14-member squad represented India in the men's category, led by Ashok Goyary, Treasurer of the Indian Tchoukball Federation (ITBF). The team delivered an engaging performance, captivating the audience with their sporting skills. The championship saw participation from eight teams: India, Hong Kong, Nepal, Thailand, Macau, Chinese Taipei, Singapore, and Malaysia. Competitions were held in both men's and women's categories, with each team showcasing impressive athleticism and teamwork. In the men's category, Chinese Taipei...