Majuli, the world’s largest river island nestled in the mighty Brahmaputra, is shrinking year after year—losing land to floods, erosion, and climate change. But amid this slow devastation, a quiet green revolution is taking root. Leading it is 25-year-old Munmuni Payeng, the daughter of renowned environmentalist Jadav “Molai” Payeng, known globally as the “Forest Man of India.” Today, Munmuni is being hailed as the “Forest Queen” of Majuli as she puts herself in her father's shoes to protect her homeland.

From Roots to Resolve

Born and raised amidst the dense canopy of Molai Forest—planted singlehandedly by her father over four decades—Munmuni was no stranger to the rhythms of nature. As a child, she was enchanted by the majesty of Majuli. Growing up, she became aware of its vulnerability. As she watched butterflies flit through saplings and elephants wander near their home, she imbibed an important lesson: every tree is a shield against despair, and every act of planting is a promise of survival.

Now, through her organization Seuj Dhoroni (Green Earth), Munmuni is leading an ambitious campaign to plant one million native trees across flood-affected and erosion-prone areas. The mission is not just about reforestation—it is about building resilience, reclaiming lost land, and empowering people.

Building Forests, Growing Communities

What makes Munmuni’s movement remarkable is its community-driven approach. Seuj Dhoroni mobilizes schoolchildren, women’s groups, tea garden workers, and tribal communities from Majuli and surrounding areas. Everyone is welcome—children become “mini-foresters,” women lead conservation circles, and even youth from urban slums pitch in. Together, they plant native species like jackfruit, Bombax ceiba, Indian jujube, and mango that help restore biodiversity, improve soil, and support livelihoods.

“This forest is not mine alone,” Munmuni often says. “It belongs to everyone who believes the Earth can heal.”

The trees they plant do more than fight climate change—they offer shade, food, income, and most of all, hope.

A Green Answer to a Climate Crisis

Majuli is fighting for its existence. Annual floods swallow entire homes, displace families, and threaten local flora and fauna. In this fragile landscape, Seuj Dhoroni’s work is viewed not just as conservation but as climate adaptation in action. 

Each year, the people of Majuli grapple with the devastating loss of land to floods, homes consumed by the Brahmaputra, and wildlife squeezed into shrinking habitats. Munmuni’s tree-planting mission goes far beyond reforestation—it’s a lifeline for a land under threat. Backed by friends, family, and young volunteers from the Bihari, Mising, and Ahom communities, her teams work tirelessly to restore the green cover washed away by seasonal floods and to face challenges like human-elephant conflict head-on.

A Legacy Beyond Trees

Munmuni’s journey is not just a continuation of her father’s; it’s an evolution. Where he planted forests alone, she is building movements. Where he offered an example, she is creating a community. As Majuli’s land fades into the river, Munmuni Payeng is quietly planting it back into the future.