Blog Post

Most trees planted in 25 years by an individual: Pak Sadiman sets world record

May 13, 2021

Most trees planted in 25 years by an individual: Indonesian eco-warrior Pak Sadiman sets world record

WONOGIRI, Indonesia--Indonesian eco-warrior Pako Sadiman, 69, also known as ‘mbah’ or ‘grandpa’, has planted about 11,000 banyans and ficus trees over 250 hectares (617 acres) after 25 years of effort, making water resources available in the drought-prone mountainous region where he lives, thus setting the new world record for the Most trees planted in 25 years by an individual, according to the WORLD RECORD ACADEMY.

“I thought to myself, if I don’t plant banyan trees, this area would become dry,” said Sadiman, wearing his trademark ranger hat and safari shirt, who goes by one name, like many Indonesians, the Reuters agency reports.

Photo (1) above: Sadiman, a 69-year-old eco-warrior, stands near a hill which is the first area he replanted with trees 20 years ago, in Wonogiri, Central Java province, Indonesia, in this still taken from March 13, 2021 video. Stringer/REUTERS TV via REUTERS

The long and wide-spreading roots of at least 11,000 banyans and ficus trees Sadiman has planted over 250 hectares (617 acres) help to retain groundwater and prevent land erosion.

“In my experience, banyan trees and ficus trees can store a lot of water.”

Thanks to his effort, springs have formed where once there was barren and arid land, their water piped to homes and used to irrigate farms.

Yet, at the beginning, few village residents appreciated his work.

“People ridiculed me for bringing banyan tree seeds to the village, because they felt uneasy as they believed there are spirits in these trees,” Sadiman added.

“In the past people thought he was crazy, but look at the result now,” said one villager, Warto. “He is able to provide clean water to meet the needs of the people in several villages.”

“I hope the people here can have prosperous lives and live happily. And don’t burn the forest over and over again,” Sadiman added, with a twinkle in his eye.

Sadiman also funds his work through a nursery of plants such as cloves and jackfruit that he can sell or barter.

Lack of rain in the area where he planted trees had once limited farmers to a single harvest a year, but now, the abundant water sources ensure two or three, he said.