I am in Majuli for last one month. And when I heard about the Forest Man of India – Jadav Payeng, my first reaction was I have to meet him. Any nature lover would love to meet him. He has established a proper biodiversity all by himself.
So, just like my trips, without any planning, I took my bag
and thought I will go at his place meet him and return in a day. Then, I got to
know that his place is near Jorhat, I have to go to Jorhat then to his place
and then I need to board another ferry to reach his forest.
So, I was like.
Okay!!! I will still go let’s see if I can do it in a day.
On the way I asked some other people they said I can do it in
a day. Today also if you get taxis and ferry on time.
With the trust in God, I decided to go and meet him.
I reached Kamlabari ghat by 11 am and from there I immediately got a ferry to Nimati ghat which started at 11:15 am. I thought it would take
an hour but it took around 2 hours. I reached at Nimati ghat around 1 pm. The last ferry from Nimati ghat to Kamlabari is at 4 pm. So, now I have 3 hours to meet him and come back.
I was like Okay! I can do it.
I immediately asked people around the ghat and got to know that he now lives near the Kokila ghat in Jorhat only. And the road next to Kamlabari ghat will also take me there but public transport is not available on this road. So, I thought let’s wait for 10 minutes and try hitchhiking. After trying to hitchhike for 10 minutes, I didn’t get anyone. So, I took an auto for another route. The auto took me near Nimati post office from here I need to board another auto inside the village. His house is around 8 Km from here. So, I waited for some time and there was not a single auto or public transport. I started trying to get lift from someone.
It’s already around 1:30 pm, I started walking thinking I may to be able to go back today. And then a person stopped his car. His name is Biman Das, he is local and his house is just 1 km on the way. I asked him to drop me till there only, he agreed. While talking to him, he said he didn’t know about him and now he will also join me
to meet the Forest Man of India. He said we will take a short halt at his place and then we will go. Biman dada (Dada means big brother) introduces me with his sweet family. They gave me tasty mangoes from their tree, and also gave me something to eat. I don’t remember its name it was made from rice – rice was powdered, Jaggery was added then I ate it with curd, it was sweet, and tasty, often used as a prasad (offering to God). I spent around an hour there. It was a big relief from the killing hot outside. Meanwhile I have also checked some hostels in Jorhat.
After spending a very good and memorable time with them we were ready to go. Biman dada’s (Dada means big brother) mother and wife gifted me traditional Assamese scarf / gamucha / mohflar. Then me along with Dada and his daughter went to find the house of the Forest Man of India. We mistakenly went little forward near the ghat from there an island forest visible, I thought this must be Molai forest. We asked a local resident they told us we came little forward there is banner near his house so, we went back and finally we reached his house it was around 3:30 pm. Only to find out Jadav Payeng ji was not there, his wife told us that he has gone for attending some function in Guwahati and will return by mid night today. I felt very bad at time; I came here in such a hot weather for nothing. I got his mobile number and for a moment I thought of going back because it’s extremely hot and I can reach Nimati ghat by 4 pm and catch last ferry. But then I thought let’s stay here, I will meet him tomorrow.
While returning I was thinking hostels in Jorhat is too far from here and I have no energy. Biman Dada asked me to have a lunch before going and when I told him I am feeling exhausted and my hostel is too far from here he offered me to stay with his family and in morning I can meet Jadav Payeng before going back. I happily agreed.
That’s all for today’s blog. What happens next? Will I be able to meet the Forest Man of India?
We will see it in our next blog.
Until next time, keep travelling and take care of Nature.
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