Jadav and the Tree-Place: A Real-Life Forest Hero

Boy planting trees along a dry riverbank, later transformed into a forest

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PARENT-TEACHER GUIDE

Jadav And The Tree-Place

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Country: India

Ages: 5-8

Author: Vinayak Varma

Publisher: Pratham Books

Illustrator: Vinayak Varma

Story Source: StoryWeaver

About The Story

‘The Power of One.’ Each one of us has the power within us to do our bit to help people, the environment, and our flora and fauna. When we spot a problem, we may feel that we are too small or that our effort is too insignificant. Or that someone else out there will do something about it. In this inspiring story, sixteen-year-old Jadav from Assam, India, spots dead snakes washed ashore on a dry, degraded riverbank. Disturbed by this sign of ecological damage, he decides to act. With quiet determination, he begins planting trees—starting a lifelong journey that transforms a barren riverside into a lush, thriving forest. Based on the real-life environmentalist Jadav Payeng, this story celebrates resilience, personal responsibility, and the extraordinary impact of one young person.

Themes

Jadav and the Tree-Place

Sub Themes

Nature & Biodiversity

Perseverance

Real-Life Heroes

Parent-Teacher Guide

Learning Outcome

Understand the role of individual action in environmental conservation.
Recognize how tree planting restores ecological balance and biodiversit
Be inspired by real-life heroes who protect nature.
Appreciate that age is no barrier to making a difference in the world.
Learn how degraded ecosystems can be revived through perseverance and care.

Lesson Plan

This lesson explores how one individual can combat deforestation and environmental degradation.
Students will examine Jadav’s journey and reflect on how small efforts can lead to big changes.
The activities aim to connect children with their local environment and spark ideas for positive action.

Activities

Tree Mapping Exercise: Have students draw or list local trees they know and their benefits (e.g., fruit, shade, animals they support).
Mini Action Plan: Each child creates a “Green Pledge” – one small action they will take (e.g., reduce plastic, plant a sapling).
Science Connection: Discuss how trees impact temperature, air quality, and biodiversity.
Biography Link: Research Jadav Payeng’s real-life forest and compare facts with the story. Art Project: Create a “Before and After” mural showing a barren place turning into a forest.

Story Discussion Guide

Before reading

Have you helped someone plant something?
What would you do if you saw a lot of trash in a field?
What are your favorite things to see in a garden?

During reading

Why were the snakes dying along the riverbank?
How did Jadav respond when he saw the problem?
What challenges do you think he might have faced? How did the forest grow over time?

After reading

Do you think it was easy for Jadav to keep going all those years?
What made him keep trying, even if nobody helped at first?
Have you ever tried to fix a problem around you? What was it like?

Applicable Sustainable Development Goals

SDG 13: Climate Action

The story promotes awareness of climate resilience and how grassroots action can fight environmental degradation.

SDG 15: Life on Land

Jadav’s tree planting restores biodiversity and reclaims ecosystems.

SDG 4: Quality Education (when used to raise environmental awareness)

Educators can use this story to teach children about ecological stewardship and inspire civic responsibility.

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