Assam’s wildlife conservationist Dr. Purnima Devi Barman was recently awarded the prestigious Whitley Gold Award for her remarkable work in conserving the Greater Adjutant Stork, locally known as Hargila.

This recognition highlights her commitment to nature, biodiversity, and humanity as a whole. But who is Dr. Purnima Devi Barman, and what drives her to dedicate her life to conservation? Let’s explore her journey and discover how she became the inspiring leader of the “Hargila Army.”

“Only a life lived for others is a life worthwhile.”
—Albert Einstein

Nature and Childhood Memories

Dr. Purnima Devi Barman’s love for nature took root in childhood. At the age of five, she was sent to live with her grandmother along the banks of the Brahmaputra River. Separated from her parents and siblings, she initially struggled with loneliness.

Her grandmother, a farmer, began taking her to nearby paddy fields and wetlands to distract her, teaching her about the local birds and wildlife. There, young Purnima encountered various birds, including storks, and learned their songs. She grew to love nature and birds, developing an early affection that would later guide her life’s mission.

Woman with a Vision

As she pursued a career in wildlife biology, Dr. Barman devoted herself to conserving the endangered Greater Adjutant Stork, the world’s second-rarest stork species. Motivated by a sense of responsibility, she led multiple conservation campaigns that blended environmental awareness with local culture.

Her initiatives included sharing conservation messages during religious functions, organizing cooking competitions and community dances, and even engaging film celebrities to raise awareness. She introduced unique programs like honoring the owners of nesting trees and offering scholarships to their children, hoping to inspire a sense of pride and care for these storks among the villagers.

Never an Easy Task

Despite earning a master’s degree in zoology, Dr. Purnima Devi Barman paused her PhD research on the Greater Adjutant to address the immediate threat to these birds. She began her campaign in 2007, focusing on villages in Assam’s Kamrup district, where the birds were common but unwelcome.

These storks, known locally as hargila, were often seen scavenging on carcasses and were wrongly considered bad omens. Their large size—standing up to 5 feet tall with wingspans of around 8 feet—also intimidated villagers, who sometimes cut down nesting trees to deter them. Initially, Dr. Barman was ridiculed for trying to protect these misunderstood birds.

“Where there is will there is a way.”
—Angela Merkel

Positive Changes

Dr. Purnima Devi Barman faced numerous challenges, yet she remained undeterred. She knew that changing the local community’s perception was essential for the stork’s survival. She mobilized local women, educating them about the ecological importance of the storks and involving them in the conservation effort.

This movement grew into what is now called the Hargila Army, a group of over 10,000 women who protect nesting sites, rehabilitate injured storks, and celebrate new hatchlings with “baby showers.” Thanks to her efforts, the Greater Adjutant Stork is now a beloved part of Assam’s culture, inspiring songs, poems, and folk celebrations.

Also read: The Revolutionary Journey of Jadav Payeng: The Forest Man of India

Awards and Recognition

Dr. Purnima Devi Barman’s work has gained both national and international recognition. In 2017, she received India’s highest civilian award for women, the Nari Shakti Puraskar, from President Ram Nath Kovind, and a Whitley Award (often called a Green Oscar) from Princess Anne in the United
Kingdom.

She has also been honored with the Future Conservationist Award in 2009, the UNDP India Biodiversity Award in 2016, and the Royal Bank of Scotland’s Earth Hero Award the same year. In 2022, she was celebrated as a UNEP Champion of the Earth in the “Entrepreneurial Vision” category, acknowledging her incredible impact on conservation.

More recently, a reputed educational institution in Mayotte, France—Lycée des Lumières—signed a two-year agreement with Dr. Barman to collaborate on biodiversity conservation, adopting her community-based approach to protect endangered species.

Endnotes

Dr. Purnima Devi Barman’s journey is an inspiration to communities worldwide, demonstrating the power of grassroots conservation efforts. Assam, and indeed the world, needs more brave hearts like Dr. Purnima Devi Barman—those who work tirelessly to protect the environment, setting an example for others to follow.