The Forest Keeper: The True Story of Jadav Payeng
By Rina Singh
Illustrated by Ishita Jain
“Cut me first before you touch my forest!”
The Forest Keeper is based on the true story of Jadav Molai Payeng, an activist from India who witnessed a devastating flood that left behind withered plants and dead snakes. Determined to make a change, he set out to transform the barren land into a thriving forest by persistently planting trees and eventually creating a haven that beckons and shelters creatures of many kinds. Through years of small efforts, he brings about remarkable change: this real-life forest now stretches larger than Central Park in New York and serves as a vital migration corridor for elephants. One of the book’s central conflicts arises when elephants enter nearby villages and destroy houses, prompting furious villagers to threaten to cut down the forest. Yet Jadav protects the forest with unwavering resolve, even threatening to sacrifice his own life for it.
The Forest Keeper is an inspiring tale of how a grassroots activist (see Grassroots Activism) can make a great difference. Jadav was only sixteen when he planted his first tree, beginning his quiet mission after his appeals to adults from the institution were refused. Jadav’s example demonstrates persistence and determination that can inspire readers eager to act. In this way, the story demonstrates youth agency and empowers readers to recognize that they, too, can take meaningful steps to address environmental degradation.
The second topic educators can explore when introducing this book is the interconnectedness of living beings. It illustrates how a healthy environment fosters biodiversity, highlighting the interdependence of all living things. Animals are naturally drawn to settle in the growing forest, while planting trees on the sandbars stabilizes the earth. In addition, the book also specifies the names of plants, animals, rivers, and islands. This attention to specificity reflects a bioregional sensibility, helping students understand nature more precisely and recognize its diversity rather than viewing it as monolithic. The last aspect of the book worth delving into is how nature is perceived from an ecocentric perspective—one that recognizes nature’s agency and views all beings as equals (see ecocentrism). Through the unexpected destructive force of the river and the elephants’ encroachment into the village, the narrative illustrates that nature is not merely romantic but unpredictable and sometimes dangerous. In this way, the story grants agency to both nature and animals. Moreover, Jadav’s refusal to accept the villagers’ proposal to cut down the forest—despite the damage caused by the elephants—reflects an attitude that does not prioritize human interests over those of other living beings.
©2026 ClimateLit (placeholder)
Publisher: North-South Books, 2023
ISBN: 9780735845053
Pages: 40
Format: Picturebooks
Topics: Activism, Biodiversity, Biodiversity Loss, Bioregions, Ecosystems, Environmental Degradation, Grassroots Activism, Interconnectedness, Youth Agency



