Dr. Purnima Devi Barman is a name synonymous with wildlife conservation, women’s empowerment, and environmental resilience. A distinguished wildlife biologist from Assam, India, Dr. Barman has dedicated her life to protecting the endangered greater adjutant stork, locally known as "Hargila." Her groundbreaking efforts have not only revived a near-extinct species but also transformed communities, earning her global recognition, including being named TIME’s "Woman of the Year" in 2025—the first Indian woman to receive this honor. This biography explores her journey, achievements, and the indelible mark she has left on conservation and society.
Early Life and Inspiration
Born in Assam, India, Dr. Purnima Devi Barman’s love for nature took root at the tender age of five. Facing personal challenges, she was sent to live with her grandmother on the banks of the Brahmaputra River. Separated from her parents and siblings, the young Purnima found solace in the natural world. Her grandmother, a farmer, introduced her to the wetlands and paddy fields, where she first encountered the greater adjutant stork. These towering birds, with their imposing nearly 5-foot stature and scavenging habits, captivated her. “I saw storks and many other species. She taught me bird songs,” Dr. Barman recalls, reflecting on how these early experiences ignited her passion for wildlife.
This formative period laid the foundation for her future as a conservationist. The greater adjutant stork, once abundant but reviled by locals as a "bad omen" or "disease carrier" due to its scavenging nature, would become the centerpiece of her life’s work. Dr. Barman’s connection to these misunderstood creatures grew into a lifelong mission to save them from extinction.
Academic Journey and Career Beginnings
Dr. Purnima Devi Barman pursued her academic interests with fervor, earning a Master’s degree in Zoology from Gauhati University, specializing in Ecology and Wildlife Biology. Her academic excellence paved the way for a PhD, which she began in 2007, focusing on the greater adjutant stork. However, her research took an unexpected turn when she discovered the dire state of the species. With only about 450 individuals left in Assam at the time, the storks were on the brink of extinction. Rather than confining her efforts to academic study, Dr. Barman delayed her PhD completion until 2019 to prioritize hands-on conservation.
Her career took root at Aaranyak, a leading biodiversity conservation NGO in India, where she served as a Senior Wildlife Biologist in the Avifauna Research and Conservation Division. Coordinating the Greater Adjutant Conservation Project, she blended scientific expertise with grassroots activism, setting the stage for her remarkable impact.
The Turning Point: A Call to Action
A defining moment in Dr. Barman’s journey came in 2007 when she received a distressing call: a tree housing a family of greater adjutant storks was being felled in Assam’s Kamrup district. Arriving at the scene, she faced hostility from villagers who saw the birds as pests. “Everyone surrounded me, started whistling at me,” she later recounted. Yet, her thoughts were with her infant twin daughters and the vulnerable storks. This incident marked the beginning of her mission to change perceptions and protect the Hargila.
At the time, the greater adjutant stork population in Assam had dwindled to a mere 450, largely due to habitat loss and negative cultural attitudes. Villagers often cut down nesting trees to rid themselves of the birds’ presence. Dr. Barman recognized that saving the species required more than scientific intervention—it demanded a cultural shift.
Founding the Hargila Army
In response, Dr. Purnima Devi Barman founded the "Hargila Army," an all-female grassroots conservation movement that would become the backbone of her efforts. Named after the Assamese term for the greater adjutant stork ("Hargila" means "bone swallower"), this initiative mobilized village women to protect the birds and their habitats. Starting with a small group, the Hargila Army has grown to over 20,000 members, empowering women to become conservationists and entrepreneurs.
The Hargila Army’s strategies were innovative and community-driven. Dr. Barman introduced tall bamboo nesting platforms in 2017, providing safe breeding spaces for the storks. Two years later, the first chicks hatched on these platforms—a testament to her vision. The group also planted 45,000 saplings near nesting sites and wetlands, with plans for 60,000 more, to restore habitats. Cleaning drives along rivers and wetlands tackled pollution, ensuring a healthier ecosystem for the storks.
Beyond environmental impact, the Hargila Army transformed lives. Women wove textiles adorned with stork motifs, selling them to raise awareness and generate income. This blend of conservation and economic empowerment turned the once-despised Hargila into a symbol of pride, integrating it into Assamese culture through songs, baby showers for stork chicks, and festivals like Greater Adjutant Day on February 2.
Conservation Success and Global Impact
Dr. Barman’s efforts yielded extraordinary results. When she began her work in 2007, only 28 nests remained in the Kamrup district. By 2019, this number had soared to over 250, making it the largest breeding colony of greater adjutant storks worldwide. Today, the population in Assam exceeds 1,800, prompting the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) to reclassify the species from "endangered" to "near threatened" in 2023.
Her influence extends beyond Assam. The Hargila Army’s model has inspired conservation efforts in other parts of India and even Cambodia, while schools in France teach students about her work. Dr. Barman’s approach—combining science, community engagement, and cultural integration—offers a blueprint for resolving human-wildlife conflicts globally.
Awards and Recognition
Dr. Purnima Devi Barman’s contributions have earned her a slew of prestigious accolades. In 2017, she received the Whitley Award, often dubbed the "Green Oscars," and the Nari Shakti Puraskar, India’s highest civilian honor for women, presented by the President of India. In 2022, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) named her a "Champion of the Earth" in the Entrepreneurial Vision category, recognizing her innovative conservation strategies.
Her most recent honor came in February 2025, when TIME magazine named her "Woman of the Year," making her the first Indian woman on this esteemed list of 13 global changemakers. Alongside luminaries like Nicole Kidman and Gisele Pelicot, Dr. Barman was celebrated for her leadership in creating a more just and equal world through environmental stewardship.
Personal Life and Philosophy
A mother of twin daughters, Dr. Barman balances her demanding career with a deep commitment to family. Her personal experiences as a woman in a male-dominated field have fueled her dedication to empowering others. “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 has said. Known affectionately as the "Stork Sister," she proudly wears traditional Assamese attire featuring stork motifs, handwoven by Hargila Army members.
Her philosophy centers on harmony between humans and nature. By reframing the greater adjutant stork as a cultural asset rather than a nuisance, she has demonstrated that conservation can uplift both ecosystems and communities. “This bird is now a part of our tradition and culture,” she notes, encapsulating her vision of coexistence.
Legacy and Future Vision
Dr. Purnima Devi Barman’s legacy is one of resilience, innovation, and empowerment. Her work with the greater adjutant stork has not only saved a species but also inspired a global movement for community-driven conservation. As the Hargila Army expands and her story reaches new audiences, she continues to advocate for ecosystem restoration and women’s leadership in environmental causes.
Looking ahead, Dr. Barman aims to further scale her initiatives, mentoring the next generation of conservationists and replicating her model worldwide. Her journey from a young girl enchanted by storks to a global icon underscores the power of passion and perseverance. As of February 22, 2025, her recognition as TIME’s "Woman of the Year" reaffirms her status as a trailblazer in wildlife biology and social change.
Conclusion
Dr. Purnima Devi Barman’s biography is a testament to the impact one individual can have on the world. From the wetlands of Assam to the pages of TIME magazine, her story inspires action and hope. As a wildlife biologist, founder of the Hargila Army, and champion of the greater adjutant stork, she has redefined conservation, proving that protecting nature and uplifting humanity go hand in hand. For those searching for "Dr. Purnima Devi Barman," her name is now a beacon of environmental excellence and empowerment.
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