Guwahati: In a poignant social media post on Monday, Dr Palmee Borthakur, sister of the late Assamese cultural icon Zubeen Garg and a noted academic, highlighted the heightened responsibility towards nature conservation, particularly hand-planted forests such as the renowned Molai Kathoni.
“When it comes to protecting nature, the responsibility becomes even greater if the forest is one that a nature lover has personally nurtured and built over a lifetime. Whether it is the protection of Mulai Kathoni or the punishment of those who cause harm, action is essential. If Zubeen Garg were here today, he would have shaken the skies and the winds to defend Mulai Kathoni. What are we doing?
#SaveMulaiKathoni
#JusticeForZubeenGarg,” Borthakur wrote.
Her message, written in Assamese, emphasised the need to safeguard such ecosystems and punish perpetrators of environmental harm.
The post underscored that when a nature lover single-handedly builds a forest over a lifetime, the responsibility to protect it intensifies. Borthakur demanded protection for Molai Kathoni and strict punishment for wrongdoers, imagining how her brother Zubeen Garg—known for his passionate advocacy on social and environmental issues—would have strongly rallied for its defence had he been alive.
“The Invisible Poison!
Those responsible for harming both him and nature through this ‘invisible poison’ must be identified and given appropriate punishment. Otherwise, tomorrow our next generation will laugh at us for our failure,” wrote Surajit Giri, popularly known as the ‘snake doctor’.
The timing of the post coincides with reports of an alleged arson attack on parts of Molai Kathoni 2.0, a reforestation project linked to Padma Shri awardee Jadav ‘Molai’ Payeng, the ‘Forest Man of India’.
On December 28, miscreants reportedly set fire to sections of the plantation on a Brahmaputra river sandbar in Majuli, damaging young saplings and killing wildlife. Authorities are assessing the extent of the damage, triggering calls for enhanced security in vulnerable conservation zones.
Spanning over 1,360 acres, Molai Kathoni is a man-made forest developed by Payeng since 1979 on barren land. It supports diverse flora and fauna, including elephants, rhinos and tigers, and serves as a model for erosion control and biodiversity restoration along the Brahmaputra.
Borthakur’s appeal, invoking Zubeen Garg—who passed away on September 19, 2025, amid ongoing investigations into his death—has resonated widely, blending environmental urgency with public emotion.
Hashtags #SaveMulaiKathoni and #JusticeForZubeenGarg are gaining traction online, reflecting Assam’s collective grief and determination.
Environmentalists and local residents have echoed demands for swift action against the arsonists and stronger safeguards for such conservation initiatives.
Authorities are probing the incident amid broader concerns over protecting fragile riverine ecosystems.