News > Once called crazy, Indonesian eco-warrior turns arid hills green 

Once called crazy, Indonesian eco-warrior turns arid hills green 

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