Forest man of India plants huge forest alone

ESL Lessons: True Stories

A printable worksheet for story-based English conversation classes.

Difficulty: Intermediate B1

PDF: Forest man of India plants huge forest alone

Warm-up

Have you heard of Majuli Island?

Vocabulary Match

recognized •• growing
discovered •• size of football fields
hectares •• known
inspiration •• idea
including •• found
planting •• with

Vocabulary Answers

recognizedknown
discoveredfound
hectaressize of football fields
inspirationidea
includingwith
plantinggrowing

True Story

Listen and fill in the blanks with words from above.

Jadav Payeng, known as the Forest Man of India, spent 30 years ________ trees on Majuli Island. He started in 1979 when he saw many dead snakes due to the heat and lack of trees. Over time, he created a forest of 550 ________, which is larger than Central Park in New York City.

Jadav did this work alone, and now the forest is home to many animals, ________ Bengal tigers, elephants, and various birds. "I wanted to save my island," he said. His efforts have been ________ in documentaries and books. In 2008, the government ________ his forest when elephants moved in. Jadav's story is an ________ to many people around the world.

Jadav Payeng, known as the Forest Man of India, spent 30 years planting trees on Majuli Island. He started in 1979 when he saw many dead snakes due to the heat and lack of trees. Over time, he created a forest of 550 hectares, which is larger than Central Park in New York City.

Jadav did this work alone, and now the forest is home to many animals, including Bengal tigers, elephants, and various birds. "I wanted to save my island," he said. His efforts have been recognized in documentaries and books. In 2008, the government discovered his forest when elephants moved in. Jadav's story is an inspiration to many people around the world.

Quiz

  1. Where did Jadav Payeng plant trees?
  2. When did Jadav start planting trees?
  3. What animals live in the forest now?
  4. How big is the forest Jadav created?

Quiz Answers (examples)

  1. On Majuli Island
  2. In 1979
  3. Bengal tigers, elephants, and various birds
  4. 550 hectares

True or False

  1. Jadav Payeng worked with a team to plant the forest. T F
  2. The forest is larger than Central Park in New York City. T F
  3. Jadev created the forest to save the snakes. T F

True or False Answers

  1. False
  2. True
  3. False

Conversation

A:Jadav, how did you start planting trees?
B:I saw so many dead snakes and wanted to help.
A:Wow, that's amazing! How big is your forest now?
B:It's 550 hectares, bigger than Central Park!
A:Incredible! Do you get any help now?
B:Yes! My daughter has started to plant trees, too.

Discussion

  1. Have you ever planted a tree?
  2. Why do you think trees are important?
  3. Do you have a favourite forest or national park?
  4. What animals would you like to see in a forest?

Further Reading

https://interestingengineering.com/science/jadav-payeng-the-man-who-planted-an-entire-forest-by-himself

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