GUWAHATI, Oct 11 - A major conservation initiative in the United States is honouring �Forest Man of India� Jadav Payeng by dedicating a plantation ceremony in his name.
The Bridgewater Township Shade Tree Board (Team Arbor) and the Assam Foundation of North America (AFNA) have announced the tree dedication ceremony that will honour the internationally-acclaimed conservationist from Assam.
The community event in honour of Payeng will be held at Chimney Rock Park, Martinsville, on October 17. The event will include a memorial tree dedication, live music and a display of folk dance forms of Assam.
�The celebration also marks Bridgewater�s achievement as a recognised �Tree City� of the United States for the 19th consecutive year. It honours the community for its commitment to effective urban forest management,� Ankur Bora of AFNA told The Assam Tribune.
Payeng is credited with singlehandedly transforming a 1,400-acre barren river sandbar of Jorhat district of Assam into a bustling forest ecosystem by planting and nurturing thousands of saplings.
The Tree City USA programme is sponsored by the Arbor Day Foundation in partnership with the US Forest Service and the National Association of State Foresters. The celebration will include the recognition of the Roots and Shoots Club from Hillside Intermediate School for the students� support of the local tree canopy and their commitment to the preservation of the rain forest.
�This is completely an educational, environmental, cross- cultural, non-religious, non-profit, and family event. This event is designed to assimilate the Indian community with the local American community,� Bora said.
The Arbor Day Foundation with a mission �to inspire people to plant, nurture, and celebrate trees� was founded in 1972 by John Rosenow.
