Conservation biologist from Assam, ‘Hargila Baideu’ Dr Purnima Devi Barman awarded Whitley Gold Award 2024, popularly known as Green Oscar

She was given the award by the Whitley Fund for Nature (WFN) in recognition of her excellence in the conservation of Greater Adjutant Stork (Hargila) in Assam

Proud moment for Assam. Dr Purnima Devi Barman, conservation biologist at the non-profit organisation-Aaranyak, has been awarded Whitley Gold Award 2024, popularly known as Green Oscar.

She was given the award by the Whitley Fund for Nature (WFN) in recognition of her excellence in the conservation of Greater Adjutant Stork (Hargila) in Assam. Barman received the prestigious award from Anne, the Princess Royal.

Barman is known as ‘Hargila Baideu’ (sister of storks) for the conservation work she has done for the conservation of the endangered Greater Adjutant Stork.

WFN is a fundraising and grant-giving nature conservation charity based in the United Kingdom.

Dr. Purnima Devi Barman has been successful in changing
People’s perception about the endangered Greater Adjutant Stork and inspiring people, primarily women, to protect their nests. As a result of her efforts, the population of the Greater Adjutant Stork Assam has quadrupled.

Now with the Whitley Gold Award, she will expand this work to Cambodia and East India, with an aim to double the global population of the bird by 2030, by scaling up the support of local women to grow her ‘Hargila Army’ of stork advocates – known as Stork Sisters – from 10,000 to 20,000 individuals, said the WFN.

She will expand community-driven conservation initiatives to increase the number of greater adjutant breeding pairs by 20% in their current range within two years by safeguarding the four nesting colonies in Assam.

She will establish a collaboration of scientists, policymakers, students, and graduates of WFN to work together. In addition to a knowledge-sharing initiative between Bihar University and the University of Assam, this would involve teaching conservation to over 20,000 students in Assamese schools.

She will join forces with other WFN alumni to start the Ethical Conservation Alliance, which aims to empower conservation practitioners worldwide in developing respectful relationships with local and indigenous communities.

Assam Education Minister Ranoj Pegu took to X and congratulated Barman.

“Conveying my heartiest congratulations to Smt Purnima Devi Barman on winning the prestigious Whitley Gold Award 2024, popularly known as the Green Oscar. Along with her Hargila Army, she has dedicated her whole life to protect the environment & conserve our biodiversity. She is a true inspiration for Assam’s Nari Shakti. My best wishes for future endeavours,” Minister Ranoj Pegu posted on X.

Conveying my heartiest congratulations to Smt Purnima Devi Barman on winning the prestigious Whitley Gold Award 2024, popularly known as the Green Oscar.

Along with her Hargila Army, she has dedicated her whole life to protect the environment & conserve our biodiversity. She… pic.twitter.com/blPo9zLndU

— Ranoj Pegu (@ranojpeguassam) May 2, 2024

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