Purnima Devi Barman – Conservationist and Environmentalist

Purnima Devi Barman is a renowned Indian wildlife biologist and environmental conservationist known for her remarkable work in protecting the greater adjutant stork (Leptoptilos dubius), locally known as Hargila. Through her grassroots conservation movement, she has mobilized thousands of rural women in Assam to safeguard this critically endangered species.In February 2025, Time Magazine recognized her as one of its Women of the Year, acknowledging her transformative conservation efforts.

Educational Background

Purnima Devi Barman was born in Assam,  where she developed a deep love for nature due to her grandmother’s influence and childhood experiences near the Brahmaputra River.She pursued a Master’s degree in Zoology, specializing in ecology and conservation.Her academic research focused on the greater adjutant stork, an often-neglected species.

Turning Point – The 2007 Incident

In 2007, she witnessed the felling of a tree in a village that housed multiple nests of greater adjutant storks.This led to the death of several chicks and highlighted the challenges of habitat loss, negative perceptions, and human-induced threats.She decided to dedicate her life to saving the species, focusing on community engagement and behavioral change.

Hargila Army – Community-Based Conservation Model

Hargila Army is a pioneering community-based conservation model led by Purnima Devi Barman to protect the endangered Greater Adjutant Stork (Hargila) in Assam. This all-women grassroots movement engages local communities, especially rural women, in habitat restoration, awareness campaigns, and sustainable conservation efforts, transforming the bird from a social stigma to a cultural icon.

Formation of the Hargila Army

1. In 2010, she established the Hargila Army, an all-women grassroots movement focused on Hargila conservation.
2. Over 20,000 rural women are actively engaged in:
   1. Protecting nesting sites and preventing tree felling.
   2. Conducting awareness programs through folk songs and storytelling.
   3. Weaving Hargila motifs into traditional Assamese textiles, making conservation economically rewarding.
3. The movement has transformed the Hargila from an unwanted scavenger to a cultural icon in Assam.

Community-Led Nest Protection and Monitoring

1. Local farmers and villagers play an active role in monitoring nesting sites.
2. The Hargila Army ensures round-the-clock protection for breeding colonies, especially during the incubation period.
3. More than 50,000 trees have been protected or planted as safe nesting sites.

Cultural Integration and Awareness Campaigns

1. Conducts Hargila Festivals, integrating conservation into local traditions.
2. Promotes folk songs, dramas, and murals to celebrate the cultural significance of the Hargila.
3. Organized awareness programs in over 500 villages, shifting public perception about the species.
4. Introduced Hargila-themed school curriculums to educate future generations.

Sustainable Livelihood Creation

1. Women trained in weaving, handicrafts, and eco-tourism to create alternative sources of income.
2. Developed Hargila-branded textiles and handicrafts, generating revenue and fostering economic independence.
3. Provided micro-loans and financial assistance to encourage eco-friendly entrepreneurship.

Community-Led Waste Management and Habitat Restoration

1. Implemented waste segregation programs to prevent pollution in wetland ecosystems.
2. Encouraged organic farming to reduce pesticide use, ensuring safer feeding grounds.
3. Conducted massive plantation drives, restoring lost nesting sites and improving local biodiversity.
4. Introduced recycling workshops, promoting sustainable living among community members.

Health and Well-Being Initiatives for Rural Communities

1. Established health camps for women and children, linking conservation with community welfare.
2. Conducted sanitation and hygiene awareness programs, reducing waterborne diseases.
3. Provided nutrition support programs for women participating in conservation activities.

Expansion and Replication of the Model

1. The Hargila Army model is being replicated in Nepal, Cambodia, and Bangladesh, focusing on similar endangered species.
2. Partnered with UNEP, BirdLife International, and IUCN to expand community-led conservation programs worldwide.
3. Introduced digital storytelling and social media campaigns to increase global outreach.

Key Conservation Strategies and Achievements

• Nest Protection & Rehabilitation
  • Over 50,000 trees have been protected or planted to provide safe nesting sites for Hargilas. Community-led efforts have achieved a 90% chick survival rate, ensuring successful breeding. Collaborations with forest departments and NGOs have strengthened legal protections, securing long-term habitat safety.

• Community Engagement & Awareness
  Hargila festivals and conservation education for over 1,00,000 students have strengthened local participation. Eco-friendly initiatives promote sustainable practices, ensuring long-term support for conservation.
• Biodiversity Conservation & Habitat Restoration
  Wetland restoration and sustainable farming have improved habitats for over 200 species. Scientific monitoring helps adapt conservation efforts to changing ecological needs.
• Women’s Empowerment & Livelihoods
  Training in weaving, handicrafts, and eco-tourism has empowered over 10,000 women, reducing dependency on deforestation. Sustainable livelihoods ensure economic stability while supporting conservation.
• Hargila Population Recovery
  Conservation efforts have increased the Hargila population from 450 in 2007 to over 1,800, with Assam now hosting 80% of the global population. Captive breeding programs aid long-term survival.
• Sustainable Waste Management & Pollution Control
  Waste segregation and pollution control measures protect wetlands and prevent storks from ingesting harmful materials. Organic waste recycling promotes a cleaner habitat.
• Scientific Research & Policy Advocacy
  Research on Hargila behavior informs conservation strategies, while policy advocacy strengthens legal protections for wetlands and endangered species.

Impact on Ecosystem & Biodiversity

Purnima Devi Barman’s conservation efforts have strengthened ecosystem resilience and biodiversity by safeguarding the Greater Adjutant Stork and its habitat. Her initiatives in wetland restoration, afforestation, and waste management have improved ecological balance, supporting various species and promoting sustainable coexistence between humans and wildlife.

• Tree Plantation Drive – Over 45,000 saplings planted near Hargila breeding sites, restoring natural ecosystems.
• Wetland Conservation – Protecting wetlands benefits over 200 species of birds, amphibians, and aquatic life.
• Sustainable Waste Management – Educating locals to reduce plastic pollution, preventing stork deaths from ingesting plastic waste.
• Pollution Control Measures – Worked with local panchayats to reduce pesticide use, benefiting biodiversity.

Global Influence & Expansion of Conservation Model

Purnima Devi Barman’s community-based conservation model has gained global recognition, inspiring similar efforts worldwide. The Hargila Army’s success in Assam has showcased the power of women-led conservation, encouraging eco-feminism, community participation, and policy integration in biodiversity protection. This model is now being explored for replication in other regions facing wildlife conservation challenges.

• Inspired community-led conservation models in Southeast Asia, Africa, and Latin America.
• Partnered with UNEP, IUCN, and BirdLife International to promote wetland conservation worldwide.
• Featured in BBC, National Geographic, TIME, and The Guardian, elevating global awareness about grassroots conservation.
• Invited to United Nations Conferences, the World Economic Forum, and COP Climate Summits, where she advocated for gender-inclusive environmental policies.
• Collaborated with wildlife conservationists in Nepal and Cambodia to implement Hargila Army-inspired models for local endangered species.
• Recognized by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) for pioneering nature-based solutions in conservation.

Challenges in Conservation

Purnima Devi Barman faces several challenges in conservation, including habitat destruction, human-wildlife conflict, and social stigma associated with the Greater Adjutant Stork. Limited awareness, funding constraints, and climate change further threaten long-term conservation efforts, making community engagement and policy support crucial for sustainability.

1. Sustaining Community Participation

• Long-term behavioral change requires consistent awareness campaigns.
• Limited financial support hampers expansion efforts.

2. Conflicts with Infrastructure & Development Projects

• Deforestation, urban expansion, and infrastructure projects continue to threaten Hargila nesting sites.
• Illegal logging and unsustainable agriculture remain significant risks.

3. Climate Change Impact

• Rising temperatures and erratic rainfall impact breeding patterns and food supply.
• Increased flooding in Assam’s wetlands leads to habitat destruction.

4. Resistance from Local Communities

• Some farmers and landowners still view storks as pests, leading to occasional nest destruction.
• Traditional myths and superstitions hinder conservation efforts.

5. Policy & Governance Challenges

• Lack of stringent legal protections for critical wetland habitats.
• Insufficient government incentives for farmers supporting conservation.

6. Human-Wildlife Conflict

• Expansion of human settlements leads to shrinking natural habitats, increasing conflict between storks and local communities.
• Accidental deaths due to electrocution and road accidents are rising.

7. Illegal Poaching & Wildlife Trade

• Although greater adjutant storks are legally protected, illegal hunting for medicinal and superstitious beliefs persists.
• Lack of strong law enforcement contributes to continued poaching incidents.

Awards and Recognitions

• UNEP Champions of the Earth Award (2022) – For innovative, women-led conservation; the highest environmental honor by the United Nations.
• Whitley Gold Award (2024) – Green Oscar – Recognized her groundbreaking approach in species conservation, providing her with funding to expand conservation efforts.
• Nari Shakti Puraskar (2017) – Conferred by the Government of India for women’s empowerment in conservation.
• Time Magazine’s Women of the Year (2025) – Recognizing her global impact in community-led conservation efforts.
• Royal Bank of Scotland Earth Hero Award (2016) – Acknowledged her community-driven conservation model.
• India Biodiversity Award (2018) – For her outstanding grassroots conservation.
• Balipara Foundation Award (2019) – Recognized her role in eco-cultural restoration.

Future Goals and Vision

The future vision for Hargila conservation focuses on increasing its population, expanding community-driven conservation models, securing legal protection for breeding sites, promoting ecotourism for sustainable livelihoods, and fostering education to train future conservationists.

• Increase Hargila population to over 3,000 by 2030.
• Expand the Hargila Army model to conserve other endangered species.
• Advocate for legal recognition of key breeding sites as protected areas.
• Strengthen eco-tourism initiatives, providing sustainable incomes for local communities.
• Establish conservation education centers to train future wildlife conservationists.

Purnima Devi Barman’s contributions demonstrate the power of community-driven environmental protection. By empowering women, restoring ecosystems, and shifting public perceptions, she has set a global example for grassroots conservation. Her story is a testament to how individual efforts, supported by collective action, can bring lasting environmental change.Her model of integrating conservation with economic empowerment is now seen as a blueprint for sustainable biodiversity preservation, ensuring a harmonious coexistence between humans and nature.

CITATIONS

1. This Conservationist Is Saving One of the World’s Most Endangered Storks
2. Dr Purnima Devi Barman – Entrepreneurial Vision
3. Who is Purnima Devi Barman, honoured with UN’s highest environmental award?
4. Dr. Purnima Devi Barman: Wildlife Biologist from Assam Championing Greater Adjutant Stork & Empowering Women Through Hargila Army
5. Purnima Devi Barman: Assam’s Conservation Champion Honoured in TIME’s 2025 Women of the Year
6. Meet the eco-feminist army saving giant storks in Assam
7. Hargila Army: how 10,000 women saved India’s rarest stork

PRACTICE MCQ

Q. The conservation model developed by Purnima Devi Barman emphasizes:

a) Strict wildlife protection laws without local involvement
b) Community-based conservation and women’s empowerment
c) Establishment of zoological parks for captive breeding
d) Government-led reforestation without local participation

MAINS PRACTICE QUESTION 

Q. Discuss the role of community-based conservation in biodiversity protection with reference to Purnima Devi Barman’s Hargila Army initiative. How can such models be replicated in other regions to ensure sustainable conservation efforts?