• Meet the Nagaland Girl Who is Planting 1 Million Saplings Across Northeast India

    North East
    Meet the Nagaland Girl Who is Planting 1 Million Saplings Across Northeast India
    In Northeast, people and communities always prioritize nature preservation. Among these people, Assam's Jadav Payeng, also known as the 'Forest Man of India', has turned a barren land into a forest reserve on the bank of the river Brahmaputra.

    Digital Desk: Many individuals and organizations are working to create a world where people and nature can thrive, focusing on protecting natural habitats and advocating for policies that support green spaces, which is crucial for both the environment and human well-being.  

    In Northeast, people and communities always prioritize nature preservation. Among these people, Assam's Jadav Payeng, also known as the 'Forest Man of India', has turned a barren land into a forest reserve on the bank of the river Brahmaputra.

    Another such example is Bendangienla Amri, also known as Aien Amri, a passionate environmentalist from Nagaland, who is on a mission to plant 1 million Moringa saplings across Northeast India. Hailing from the Ao community in Mangkolemba, Mokokchung District, Aien's story is one of vision, community impact, and environmental sustainability.

    Aien's journey began during the COVID-19 pandemic, when people were confined to their homes and health concerns dominated the public consciousness. As part of a forum called Nature, Pets Guardian Nagaland, which aimed to beautify towns, clean plastic waste, and plant trees, she and her mentor, Dr. Leban Serto, saw an opportunity to influence others. They began advocating for kitchen gardens and sustainable living, sharing seeds of various vegetables to encourage healthier, self-sustained lifestyles.

    However, it was the Moringa tree—known for its incredible medicinal properties and health benefits—that caught Aien's attention. Recognizing its potential to strengthen the immune system and combat land degradation, she and her team started planting Moringa saplings across Nagaland. In July 2021, they launched the campaign “10k+ Moringas in Southeast Asia,” and within that year alone, they managed to plant over 50,000 Moringa trees.

    Her initiative quickly gained momentum, and Aien’s influence as a content creator and social media influencer helped spread the message even further. By the end of her campaign, she had successfully planted 150,000 Moringas in Nagaland with the help of the Nagaland Baptist Church Council. The goal now? To plant 1 million Moringas in the Himalaya Range Biosphere by June 2025.