Dr. Purnima Devi Barman popularly known and ‘’Hargila baido” and Stork Sister globally is a conservation biologist based in Assam, India. She is the founder of a conservation group of over 10,000 women called the “Hargila Army”. This all women team is based in villages in Assam and created to support education initiatives in saving the local Greater Adjutant Stork and its habitat. This army and her work have given the communities a voice and she has set up a model for community conservation by building strong ownership.
Purnima is the recipient of the Whitley Award 2017/Green Oscar 2017 for her crusading conservation movement to protect the highly endangered Greater Adjutant Stork. This was conferred by Her Royal Highness Princess Anne in London at Royal Geographical Society on 18th May 2017. Purnima has also been also conferred with Nari Shakti Purashkar by President of India which is the highest civilian award for Indian women.
She has been tirelessly working with communities and conducting research on the storks from
last 12 years. Purnima was also awarded several other distinguished awards, including the UNDP India biodiversity Award 2016 from United Nations, the Royal Bank of Scotland RBS “Earth Hero Award” under save the species category 2016 and the Balipara foundation
“Green Guru Award” in 2016 She is also the recipient of Yamin Hazarika memorial award.
Purnima is committed to serve nature till her last breath and she does this with a positive and infectious attitude that inspires many.
Timestamp for talk:
- 2:15 – Purnima talks about the story behind the inspiration of Hargila bird society
- 10:25 – Purnima talks about how she empowers women with her conservationist work
- 14:45 – Purnima talks about why Hargila birds are so special
- 19:05 – Purnima says she is grateful the people changed their mindset and are protecting the birds
- 20:10 – Purnima talks about her hopes for the future in conservation
- 22:24 – Purnima talked about excitement with women for her cause
- 32:24 – Purnima talks about the start of the Hargila army and how she attracted many women
- 35:42 – Purnima reiterates her point about why the army started
Any links discussed:
Video narrated by Sir David Attenborough
