Hyderabad-based environmentalist to receive first Jadav Payeng International Award

GUWAHATI

Hyderabad-based environmentalist M. Karunakar Reddy has been nominated for the first award named after Jadav Payeng, better known as the Forest Man of India.

The Jadav Payeng International Award, which carries ₹2 lakh and a citation, has been instituted by the Jyoti-Protap Education Trust based in Kaliapani in the eastern state of Assam in Jorhat. It will be given to Mr. Reddy in January 2025.

Also read: Meet Jadav Payeng, India’s Forest Man, who single-handedly created 550 hectares of forest.

A five-member selection committee made up of green activists and academics announced the award on Thursday (November 7) and said Mr. Reddy was nominated “for good environmental stewardship and climate action”.

The trust released a statement saying, “Mr. Karunakar Reddy has pioneered water conservation and management, land restoration and deforestation, disaster relief, food security, and climate change awareness.”

Nagaon-based environmental activist Rituraj Phukan, a member of the selection committee, said Mr. Reddy is known as the ‘Water Man and Green Man of South India’ and has been working on water conservation and management for over 15 years now.

“He is also known as the Crisis Man of India for his contributions to disaster relief and control of areas affected by climate change. The committee felt it was appropriate to give him an award,” he said.

The Jyoti-Protap Education Trust runs the Jyoti-Pratap Gyanmarg Vidyalaya founded by businessman and philanthropist Protap Saikia. This digitally equipped school offers free education and has 182 students in up to six classes.

The trust also manages a crematorium, a home for the elderly, and an orphanage built by Mr. Saikia.

“Awards are usually named after famous people who have passed away. By establishing this award, the trust wanted to honor Mr. Payeng is still alive and has inspired people to preserve the environment,” he said.

“Not cutting down is like planting a tree”

Mr. Payeng, who has been awarded the Padma Shri, said he was touched by the actions of the trustees. “The award in my name will motivate me to work hard for the community,” he said.

“I am known for growing the forest but I know that I have not done a small part of what many birds and animals do by preparing the world in their own way. I am not asking people to plant trees because other creatures are always there. They can do the world a favor by not cutting down trees,” he said.

Mr. Phukan said that the 550-hectare forest created by Mr. Payeng on the sands of the Brahmaputra in Jorhat district is the only man-made green space inhabited by tigers, one-horned rhinos, and Asian elephants.

“All these animals came alone from nearby protected areas. No one moved them or moved them,” he said.