"Nature, when left to grow freely, is not symmetrical". 

This was the reason why Paolo Abbati, a veterinarian, decided not to seek any kind of funding when he chose to create a forest on his one-hectare of land.

"They wanted me to plant the trees in rows. Have you ever seen a forest with all the trees in rows?"
"I did it all on a budget," he says.

Over 30 years, he recreated a habitat for wildlife. The forestry department often brings him squirrels or fawns that have come downstream following the course of a river.

"I planted trees that would provide food for the animals," he says, pointing to some fallen hazelnuts. 
"It was challenging only in the first two years. After the plants took root, the forest took off on its own."