Guwahati, Feb 21: Wildlife biologist and conservationist Purnima Devi Barman from Assam has been featured in The Times’ Women of the Year list, recognized for her dedication to protecting the greater adjutant stork, locally known as Hargila. She joins global figures such as actress Nicole Kidman and activist Fatou Baldeh on the prestigious list.
Barman’s passion for conservation began in childhood, inspired by her grandmother’s love for birds. Over the years, she has led efforts to protect the greater adjutant stork, a species that was once critically endangered. When she started her work, only around 450 of these storks remained in Assam. Due to her sustained conservation initiatives, the population has now surpassed 1,800, leading to an upgrade in their conservation status from “endangered” to “near threatened” by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
In 2007, Barman founded the Hargila Army, a network of over 20,000 women working to protect stork nesting sites and raise awareness about the species. The initiative has also empowered women by providing them with livelihood opportunities through traditional crafts featuring stork motifs.
Her conservation model has gained international attention, inspiring similar efforts in India and Cambodia. Schools around the world have also included her work in their environmental education programs.
Barman has received several prestigious awards, including the Whitley Award in 2017 and the Champions of the Earth Award from the United Nations Environment Programme in 2022. However, she considers the true achievement to be the lasting impact on wildlife conservation and community empowerment.
