Assam’s renowned environmentalist ‘Hargila baideu’ Purnima Devi Barman has won the World Female Ranger Award 2022 for her exemplary service and commitment to conservation.
With masters in Ecology and Wildlife Biology from Gauhati University, conservationist and biologist ,Purnima Devi Barman is the founder of the Hargila Army who has been working dedicatedly for the protection of the Greater Adjutant Stork the endangered bird species . Locally known as Hargila in Assamese, the Greater Adjutant Stork is listed as Endangered in the ICUN list.
The endangered “Hargila” was often perceived as ugly and a disease-carrying pest, and even as a bad omen but Purnima who started singledhandedly in this mission to protect the endangered bird has her own ‘Hargila Army’ amn all women initiative now with 10000 members. Purnima and her Hargila Army has transformed the perception towards this bird,which is why the bird is now treated and perceived with respect in the community .
Purnima Devi Barman has been the recipients of several awards and honors which includes Whitley Award from the Whitley Fund for Nature for her conservation efforts and Nari Shakti Puraskar, the highest civilian award for women from the Government of India.
The World Female Ranger Award was presented by the UK-based NGO, How Many Elephants.
Holly Budge , founder of How Many Elephants launched this award last year.
Thank you so much @howmanyellies . I dedicate this honour to all the female eco warrior conservationists of the world who have been working hard to bring a change towards mother earth.
Gratitude! https://t.co/69YbTXqzXp— Purnima Devi Barman (@StorkSister) October 6, 2022
