Skip to content Skip to navigation

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

By AT Kokrajhar Bureau |

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.

Add new comment

Assamese Translator

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

Random Stories

Commissioner residence catches fire in Jorhat

10 Jun 2012 - 9:41pm | editor
Properties worth Rs 50 lakh along with some important official documents were reduced to ashes when a devastating fire broke in the office-cum-residence of Upper Assam Commissioner in Jorhat district...

Aaranyak hands over wireless equipment to Kaziranga NP

29 Apr 2010 - 1:48pm | editor
Aaranyak, a premier society for bio-diversity conservation in the North East India, in collaboration with the UK- based The David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation has handed over a large number of...

9 Assam workers killed in Imphal

14 Sep 2013 - 10:18am | AT News
At least nine workers from Assam were killed and 11 injured when suspected militants triggered a powerful IED blast at Khoyathong in the heart of Imphal on Friday. Six others have been critically...

Singh files nomination

28 Jan 2014 - 11:36am | AT News
Despite widespread resentment in the rank and file of Congress, Sanjay Singh filed his nomination for the Rajya Sabha poll slated for February 7.Singh submitted his nomination papers in presence of...

Other Contents by Author

Rabha Divosh Observed with Fervor Across BTR Districts

KOKRAJHAR, Assam: The 55th Rabha Divosh, commemorating the legacy of Kalaguru Bishnu Prasad Rabha, was celebrated with a series of programs across the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR) districts on Thursday, June 20th. Remembering Rabha's Contributions The day was marked by tributes to Rabha, a revered figure who tirelessly advocated for the welfare and development of Assam. Various organizations, including the All Bodo Students Union (ABSU), held programs to honor his dedication to the upliftment of the greater Assamese society. ABSU Organizes Events in Chirang and Kokrajhar In Chirang, the ABSU central committee, along with the district committee, observed the Rabha Divosh at...

NTPC Bongaigaon Unveils Pioneering Safety Observation Kiosk

NTPC Bongaigaon Salakati has taken a leap forward in workplace safety with the inauguration of a one-of-a-kind Safety Observation Kiosk. Developed by the plant's IT department, this innovative system leverages advanced speech-to-text technology to simplify and expedite safety reporting, particularly for contract laborers. Simple Design, Powerful Impact Designed for ease of use, the kiosk requires minimal interaction through just two buttons. Contract workers can verbally report safety observations in Hindi, with the system converting their speech to text displayed in Devanagari script. Saving the observation is as easy as pressing another button, ensuring a streamlined process for...

Bodo Bijwng San celebrates in BTR

The Bodo community, including the Bodo Sahitya Sabha (BSS) and All Bodo Students Union (ABSU), celebrated the 61st Bodo Bijwng San (Bodo Medium Day) across the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR) on Saturday. The day marks the introduction of the Bodo language as a medium of instruction in Lower Primary schools in Assam. This year's celebrations highlighted the 61-year journey of Bodo medium education and its success in promoting mother-tongue based learning. Central Celebration in Kokrajhar A joint program was held at the Simbargaon HS School playground in Kokrajhar, organized by the district units of Bodo Sahitya Sabha and ABSU. Bijel Kumar Basumatary, president of the Kokrajhar...

Renowned Social Activist Dr. Birubala Rabha Passes Away: A Beacon of Change

KOKRAJHAR: The social landscape of Assam mourns the loss of one of its most prominent crusaders for social justice and women's empowerment, Padmashri (Dr) Birubala Rabha, who breathed her last today morning at a hospital in Guwahati. Dr. Rabha, who had been undergoing treatment at the State Cancer Institute, Guwahati for the past few months, succumbed to her illness, leaving behind a legacy of relentless activism and reform. Dr. Birubala Rabha was a pioneer in the fight against witch-hunting, a deeply entrenched social evil in Assam. Her tireless efforts were instrumental in the Assam government passing the Prevention of and Protection from Witch Hunting Act in 2015, a landmark...

Three Youths Drown in Beki River Near Manas National Park

Kokrajhar, May 2:  A search operation that began yesterday evening concluded today with the recovery of three bodies from the Beki River near Manas National Park in Baksa district. The three youths, identified as Deep Saha, Raj Saha, and Abhijit Karmakar, all from Barpeta Road, reportedly went missing after entering the river for a swim on Wednesday evening. Local sources informed that authorities, including the police, SDRF, and local residents, launched a search operation late Wednesday night. "The bodies were fished out of the river this afternoon after a thorough search," a local source said. The cause of drowning is suspected to be strong currents or hidden underwater...

NTPC Bongaigaon Salakati Celebrates World Earth Day with Tree Planting Initiative

In line with the global initiative, NTPC Bongaigaon Salakati actively participated in celebrating World Earth Day today by organizing a tree plantation drive within its plant premises. Demonstrating their commitment to a sustainable future, over 50 saplings of various kinds were planted by the company officials and staff. The plantation program was spearheaded by the senior management of NTPC Bongaigaon Salakati, led by K C Muraleedharan, CGM and Business Unit Head. Mr. Muraleedharan emphasized NTPC's group-wide efforts in tackling climate change by inspiring positive action from governments, businesses, and individual citizens. He also highlighted the specific initiatives undertaken by...

11th Baukhungri Festival Set to Kick Off in Kokrajhar

KOKRAJHAR, Assam - April 11: The Baukhungri Hills are gearing up for the 11th edition of the Baukhungri Festival, the grandest celebration in Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR). The two-day festival kicks off on Thursday, showcasing traditional Bodoland culture, indigenous sports, and local delicacies. Organised by the BTR government's Tourism Department, the festival coincides with Rongjali Bihu, Assam's harvest festival. A major highlight is the mass hill trek on the last day of the Ch

Bison Attack Leaves Four Injured, One Seriously, in Kokrajhar

KOKRAJHAR: A terrifying encounter with a bison in the Karigaon-Haldibari area under Kokrajhar police station early Monday morning has left at least four individuals injured, with one sustaining serious wounds. The incident occurred when villagers attempted to repel the bison, which had strayed into the human settlement from the nearby Ripu-Chirang Reserve Forest under Haltugaon forest division. Among the injured, Mehung Basumatary suffered severe injuries to the stomach. He was swiftly transported to the RNB Civil Hospital in Kokrajhar and later referred to Barpeta Medical College and Hospital for advanced medical care. Locals report that the bison still remains within the...

Bodofa Upendra Nath Brahma Remembered Across Assam on Student Day

KOKRAJHAR: Citizens from various communities, particularly the Bodo community, commemorated the exemplary contributions of Bodofa Upendra Nath Brahma, former president of the All Bodo Students Union (ABSU), on his 68th birth anniversary, celebrated as 'Student Day' across different districts of Assam with a series of day-long events on Sunday. In Kokrajhar, the central committee of the All Bodo Students Union, in collaboration with the Upendra Nath Brahma Trust (UNBT) and the Kokrajhar district committee of ABSU, convened at Thulungapuri Dotma amidst a massive turnout of public and student representatives. ABSU President Dipen Boro unfurled the union flag, followed by heartfelt floral...

NTPC Bongaigaon Salakati Organizes Rural Sports Meet for Local Schools

KOKRAJHAR: The National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) Bongaigaon Salakati organized a rural sports meet on Friday, March 29th, in collaboration with the Sports Council and the District Sports Officer of Kokrajhar. This event, held under the power station's Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative, aimed to promote physical activity and sportsmanship among the youth of nearby villages. Students from five local schools - Dholmara High School, Salakati M.E. School, Salakati Junior College, Jaregaon High School, and BTPS High School - participated with great enthusiasm. The exciting competition featured six events: 100-meter and 200-meter races, 100 x 4-meter relay race, long jump...