• Terms of Use
  • Article Submission
  • Premium Content
  • Editorial Board
Sunday, July 13, 2025
  • Login
No Result
View All Result
Cart / ₹0

No products in the cart.

Subscribe
Mahabahu.com
  • Home
  • News & Opinions
  • Literature
  • Mahabahu Magazine
    • December 2023 – Vol-I
    • December 2023 – Vol-II
    • November 2023 – Vol-I
    • November 2023 – Vol-II
    • October 2023 – Vol-I
    • October 2023 – Vol-II
    • September 2023 – Vol-I
    • September 2023 – Vol-II
  • Lifestyle
  • Gallery
  • Mahabahu Books
    • Read Online
    • Free Downloads
  • E-Store
  • Home
  • News & Opinions
  • Literature
  • Mahabahu Magazine
    • December 2023 – Vol-I
    • December 2023 – Vol-II
    • November 2023 – Vol-I
    • November 2023 – Vol-II
    • October 2023 – Vol-I
    • October 2023 – Vol-II
    • September 2023 – Vol-I
    • September 2023 – Vol-II
  • Lifestyle
  • Gallery
  • Mahabahu Books
    • Read Online
    • Free Downloads
  • E-Store
No Result
View All Result
Mahabahu.com
Home Climate Change

DR PURNIMA DEVI BARMAN: 2022 CHAMPION OF THE EARTH

PURNIMA DEVI BARMAN

by Anjan Sarma
November 23, 2022
in Climate Change, Environment, Inspiration, Nature, News, Women, World
Reading Time: 6 mins read
0
DR PURNIMA DEVI BARMAN: 2022 CHAMPION OF THE EARTH
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on LinkedIn

DR PURNIMA DEVI BARMAN

UNEP

DR PURNIMA DEVI BARMAN
Dr Purnima Devi Barman

Founder of the Hargila Army and Senior Project Manager of the Avifauna Research and Conservation Division, Aaranyak

“Ecological restoration is so important to save our biodiversity and to save ourselves. Each person, each species, we are connected with a single thread”

Dr. Purnima Devi Barman, this year’s Champion of the Earth for Entrepreneurial Vision, was only a child when she developed an affinity for the stork, a bird that was to become her life’s passion.

At the age of five, Barman was sent to live with her grandmother on the banks of the Brahmaputra River in the Indian state of Assam.

RelatedPosts

RACHNA NATH from ASSAM Selected for Analog Astronaut Mission

Rachna Nath in conversation with Mahabahu

July 13, 2025
WMO State of Climate in Asia 2024 Report: Asia Warming Twice as Fast as Global Average

WMO State of Climate in Asia 2024 Report: Asia Warming Twice as Fast as Global Average

July 13, 2025
ডিজিটেল সাম্ৰাজ্যবাদ: আমাজন, গুগল, ফেচবুক, ইনষ্টাগ্ৰাম ইত্যাদি  

ডিজিটেল সাম্ৰাজ্যবাদ: আমাজন, গুগল, ফেচবুক, ইনষ্টাগ্ৰাম ইত্যাদি  

July 13, 2025

Separated from her parents and siblings, the girl became inconsolable.

To distract her, Barman’s grandmother, a farmer, started taking her to nearby paddy fields and wetlands to teach her about the birds there.

“I saw storks and many other species. She taught me bird songs. She asked me to sing for the egrets and the storks. I fell in love with the birds,” said Barman, a wildlife biologist who has devoted much of her career to saving the endangered greater adjutant stork, the second-rarest stork species in the world.

DR PURNIMA DEVI BARMAN

A species in decline

Fewer than 1,200 mature greater adjutant storks exist today, less than 1 per cent of what they numbered a century ago. The dramatic decline in their population has been partly driven by the destruction of their natural habitat.

Wetlands where the storks thrive have been drained, polluted and degraded, replaced by buildings, roads and mobile phone towers as the urbanization of rural areas gathers pace. Wetlandsnurture a great diversity of animal and plant life but around the world they are disappearing three times faster than forests due to human activities and global heating.

DR PURNIMA DEVI BARMAN

Human-wildlife conflict

After gaining a Master’s degree in Zoology, Barman started a PhD on the greater adjutant stork. But, seeing that many of the birds she had grown up with were no more, she decided to delay her thesis to focus on keeping the species alive. She began her campaign to protect the stork in 2007, focusing on the villages in Assam’s Kamrup District where the birds were most concentrated – and least welcomed.

Here, the storks are reviled for scavenging on carcasses, bringing bones and dead animals to their nesting trees, many of which grow in people’s gardens, and depositing foul-smelling droppings. The animals stand about 5 ft (1.5 metres) tall with wingspans of up to 8 ft (2.4 metres) and villagers often prefer to cut down trees in their backyards than allow the storks to nest in them.

“The bird was totally misunderstood. They were treated as a bad omen, bad luck or a disease carrier,” said Barman, who was herself mocked for attempting to save nesting colonies.

Conflict between people and wildlife is one of the main threats to wildlife species, according to a 2021 report from the World Wildlife Fund and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). This conflict can have irreversible impacts on ecosystems which support all life on Earth. The UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration provides an opportunity to mobilize the global community to re-balance the relationship between people and nature.

DR PURNIMA DEVI BARMAN

‘Hargila Army’

To protect the stork, Barman knew she had to change perceptions of the bird, known locally as “hargila” in Assamese (meaning “bone swallower”) and mobilized a group of village women to help her.

Today the “Hargila Army” consists of over 10,000 women. They protect nesting sites, rehabilitate injured storks which have fallen from their nests and arrange “baby showers” to celebrate the arrival of newborn chicks. The greater adjutant stork regularly features in folk songs, poems, festivals and plays.

Barman has also helped to provide the women with weaving looms and yarn so they can create and sell textiles decorated with motifs of the hargila. This entrepreneurship not only spreads awareness of the bird, it also contributes to the women’s financial independence, boosting their livelihoods and instilling pride and a sense of ownership in their work to save the stork.

Since Barman started her conservation programme, the number of nests in the villages of Dadara, Pachariya, and Singimari in Kamrup District have risen from 28 to more than 250, making this the largest breeding colony of greater adjutant storks in the world. In 2017, Barman began building tall bamboo nesting platforms for the endangered birds to hatch their eggs. Her efforts were rewarded a couple of years later when the first greater adjutant stork chicks were hatched on these experimental platforms.

DR PURNIMA DEVI BARMAN

Restoring ecosystems

For Barman, safeguarding the adjutant stork means protecting and restoring their habitats. The Hargila Army has helped communities to plant 45,000 saplings near stork nesting trees and wetland areas in the hope they will support future stork populations. There are plans to plant a further 60,000 saplings next year. The women also carry out cleaning drives on the banks of rivers and in wetlands to remove plastic from the water and reduce pollution.

“Purnima Devi Barman’s pioneering conservation work has empowered thousands of women, creating entrepreneurs and improving livelihoods while bringing the greater adjutant stork back from the brink of extinction,” said Inger Andersen, Executive Director of UNEP.

“Dr Barman’s work has shown that conflict between humans and wildlife can be resolved to the benefit of all. By highlighting the damaging impact that the loss of wetlands has had on the species who feed and breed on them, she reminds us of the importance of protecting and restoring ecosystems.”

DR PURNIMA DEVI BARMAN

Barman says one of her biggest rewards has been the sense of pride that has been instilled in the Hargila Army and she hopes their success will inspire the next generation of conservationists to pursue their dreams. “Being a woman working in conservation in a male-dominated society is challenging but the Hargila Army has shown how women can make a difference,” she said.

23-11-2022

[Images from different sources]

Mahabahu.com is an Online Magazine with collection of premium Assamese and English articles and posts with cultural base and modern thinking.  You can send your articles to editor@mahabahu.com / editor@mahabahoo.com ( For Assamese article, Unicode font is necessary)

Share this:

  • Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) LinkedIn
  • Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window) WhatsApp
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest
  • Click to print (Opens in new window) Print
  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email

Like this:

Like Loading...
Anjan Sarma

Anjan Sarma

Related Posts

RACHNA NATH from ASSAM Selected for Analog Astronaut Mission
PEOPLE OF ASSAM

Rachna Nath in conversation with Mahabahu

by Kakali Das
July 13, 2025
0

Rachna Nath in conversation with Mahabahu, "What I am today is shaped by what I learned growing up in Assam."...

Read moreDetails
WMO State of Climate in Asia 2024 Report: Asia Warming Twice as Fast as Global Average

WMO State of Climate in Asia 2024 Report: Asia Warming Twice as Fast as Global Average

July 13, 2025
ডিজিটেল সাম্ৰাজ্যবাদ: আমাজন, গুগল, ফেচবুক, ইনষ্টাগ্ৰাম ইত্যাদি  

ডিজিটেল সাম্ৰাজ্যবাদ: আমাজন, গুগল, ফেচবুক, ইনষ্টাগ্ৰাম ইত্যাদি  

July 13, 2025
The World Is Suffering From A Human Rights And Moral Crisis

The World Is Suffering From A Human Rights And Moral Crisis

July 13, 2025
aerial photography of water beside forest during golden hour

Women Economic Forum for Mediterranean 2025: empowering change from Palermo (Sicily, Italy)

July 13, 2025
Deloitte’s Indian Crossroads: Navigating a Perfect Storm of Global and Local Pressures

Deloitte’s Indian Crossroads: Navigating a Perfect Storm of Global and Local Pressures

July 12, 2025
  • Trending
  • Comments
  • Latest
জ্যোতি সঙ্গীত – প্ৰথম খণ্ড

জ্যোতি প্ৰসাদ আগৰৱালাৰ কবিতা

August 7, 2021
অসমীয়া জনজাতীয় সংস্কৃতিঃ সমন্বয় আৰু সমাহৰণ

অসমীয়া জনজাতীয় সংস্কৃতিঃ সমন্বয় আৰু সমাহৰণ

November 19, 2024
আলাবৈ ৰণ: শৰাইঘাটৰ যুদ্ধৰ পটভূমিত

 লাচিত : শৰাইঘাটৰ যুদ্ধ আৰু ইয়াৰ ঐতিহাসিক তাৎপৰ্য

November 24, 2024
FREEDOM FIGHTERS OF ASSAM

FREEDOM FIGHTERS OF ASSAM

August 15, 2024
man in black shirt standing on top of mountain drinking coffee

মোৰ হিমালয় ভ্ৰমণৰ অভিজ্ঞতা

0
crop businessman giving contract to woman to sign

Loan Waivers : LOOKING BACK@ 2015

0
What is the Burqa and is it mandatory for all Muslim women to wear it?

What is the Burqa and is it mandatory for all Muslim women to wear it?

0
person in black tank top

বৃক্ক বিকলতা বা কিডনি ফেইলৰ

0
RACHNA NATH from ASSAM Selected for Analog Astronaut Mission

Rachna Nath in conversation with Mahabahu

July 13, 2025
WMO State of Climate in Asia 2024 Report: Asia Warming Twice as Fast as Global Average

WMO State of Climate in Asia 2024 Report: Asia Warming Twice as Fast as Global Average

July 13, 2025
ডিজিটেল সাম্ৰাজ্যবাদ: আমাজন, গুগল, ফেচবুক, ইনষ্টাগ্ৰাম ইত্যাদি  

ডিজিটেল সাম্ৰাজ্যবাদ: আমাজন, গুগল, ফেচবুক, ইনষ্টাগ্ৰাম ইত্যাদি  

July 13, 2025
The World Is Suffering From A Human Rights And Moral Crisis

The World Is Suffering From A Human Rights And Moral Crisis

July 13, 2025

Popular Stories

  • জ্যোতি সঙ্গীত – প্ৰথম খণ্ড

    জ্যোতি প্ৰসাদ আগৰৱালাৰ কবিতা

    12778 shares
    Share 5111 Tweet 3194
  • Sikhna Jwhwlao Puts Assam Second in Protected Areas Race

    596 shares
    Share 238 Tweet 149
  • শ্ৰীমন্ত শংকৰদেৱৰ সাহিত্যৰাজি

    1608 shares
    Share 643 Tweet 402
  • ইতিহাস প্ৰসিদ্ধ কামাখ্যা মন্দিৰ আৰু অম্বুবাচী মেলা

    1278 shares
    Share 511 Tweet 320
  • ড্ৰাগছ : এক সামাজিক ব্যাধি

    3224 shares
    Share 1290 Tweet 806
  •  লাচিত : শৰাইঘাটৰ যুদ্ধ আৰু ইয়াৰ ঐতিহাসিক তাৎপৰ্য

    5661 shares
    Share 2264 Tweet 1415
  • জ্যোতিপ্ৰসাদৰ সাংস্কৃতিক,সাহিত্যিক আৰু ৰাজনৈতিক অৱদানসমূহ

    2249 shares
    Share 900 Tweet 562
  • বিষ্ণু ৰাভাৰ কেইটিমান অমৰ সৃষ্টি

    994 shares
    Share 398 Tweet 249
  • Global Outcry Over Iran’s Attack on Israel: The Escalating Middle East Tensions

    165 shares
    Share 66 Tweet 41
  • ব্ৰিটিছ ৰাজঃ ১৯০৫ চনৰ বংগ বিভাজনত অসমৰ ভূমিপুত্ৰ সকলৰ মহৎ ভূমিকা

    206 shares
    Share 82 Tweet 52
Mahabahu.com

Mahabahu: An International Journal Showcasing Premium Articles and Thought-Provoking Opinions on Global Challenges—From Climate Change and Gender Equality to Economic Upliftment.

Category

Site Links

  • About
  • Privacy Policy
  • Advertise
  • Careers
  • Contact

We are Social

Instagram Facebook
  • About
  • Privacy Policy
  • Advertise
  • Careers
  • Contact

© 2021 Mahabhahu.com - All Rights Reserved. Published by Powershift | Maintained by Webx

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Oops!! The Content is Copy Protected.

Please ask permission from the Author.

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News & Opinions
    • Politics
    • World
    • Business
    • National
    • Science
    • Tech
  • Mahabahu Magazine
    • December 2023 – Vol-I
    • December 2023 – Vol-II
    • November 2023 – Vol-I
    • November 2023 – Vol-II
    • October 2023 – Vol-I
    • October 2023 – Vol-II
    • September 2023 – Vol-I
    • September 2023 – Vol-II
  • Lifestyle
    • Fashion
    • Travel
    • Health
    • Food
  • Gallery
  • Mahabahu Books
    • Read Online
    • Free Downloads
  • E-Store
  • About Us

© 2021 Mahabhahu.com - All Rights Reserved. Published by Powershift | Maintained by Webx

Are you sure want to unlock this post?
Unlock left : 0
Are you sure want to cancel subscription?
%d