India, Dec. 30 -- A portion of environmentalist Jadav Payeng's Molai Kathoni 2.0 reforestation project along the Brahmaputra River in Assam's Majuli district was damaged after it was allegedly set afire on Sunday.

Payeng, a recipient of India's fourth-highest civilian award Padma Shri and popularly known as the Forest Man of India, said his daughter, Munmi Payeng, and others rushed to the spot and managed to control the fire.

Payeng said timely intervention prevented the fire from spreading. "Nearly one million saplings were planted across around 7.5 bighas of land. A portion has been damaged, but the quick response saved the plantation from complete destruction," he said.

Preliminary findings indicate that the fire was deliberately se...