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Purnima Devi Barman

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Purnima Devi Barman is a wildlife biologist from Assam, India. She is known for her conservation work with the greater adjutant stork (Leptoptilos dubius), known locally as the Hargila. She is the founder of the Hargila Army, an all-female conservation initiative. In 2017, Barman was the recipient of both the Whitley Award for her conservation efforts and the Nari Shakti Puraskar, the highest women-exclusive civilian award, presented by the President of India.

Purnima Devi Barman
Receiving Nari Shakti Puraskar on 8 March 2018
Born
Pub Majir Gaon, Kamrup region, Assam, India
Alma materGauhati University
OrganizationAaranyak
Known forGreater adjutant conservation, founder of Hargila Army

Biography edit

Purnima Devi Barman attended Gauhati University in Assam,[1] where she obtained her Masters in Zoology, with a specialization in Ecology and Wildlife Biology.[2] In 2007 she started her PhD research, but she delayed finishing it until 2019 in order to focus on community conservation education in villages in rural Assam.[3] Barman has worked as a Senior Wildlife Biologist in the Avifauna Research and Conservation Division at Aaranyak, a non-government organization for biodiversity conservation, where she coordinated Aaranyak’s greater adjutant stork conservation project.[citation needed] Barman is also a Director at WiNN (Women in Nature Network) India,[4] and a Member of the IUCN Stork, Ibis and Spoon bill Specialist Group.[5]

Greater adjutant edit

 
Greater adjutant

Barman is known for her work with the greater adjutant, a large stork listed as endangered by the IUCN red list.[6] It has a global population of 800–1,200 mature individuals, with the majority of these individuals (650–800) found in Assam India.[2][6][7] In Assam this bird lives in close contact with urban areas, nests in privately owned trees and scavenges at rubbish dumps.[2][6] As a result, the greater adjutant is threatened by pollution, habitat loss, and felling of nesting trees.[6]

Barman began working with greater adjutants while conducting her PhD research in the remote villages of Dadara, Pacharia and Singimari in the Kamrup district of Assam.[3] In 2007, she witnessed a tree owner cutting down a tree containing a greater adjutant nest with nestlings inside.[3] This led Barman to discover that this bird had a bad reputation among the villagers due to its unattractive appearance, scavenging nature and foul-smelling nests.[3][8] Barman then decided to postpone her PhD in order to focus on educating local communities about the ecological importance of the greater adjutant.[3][7][9]

Barman led a number of conservation campaigns that integrated the culture and traditions of the local villagers. These included presenting conservation messages during religious functions, cooking competitions, street plays and community dances.[3][10] Other education techniques included involving film celebrities to spread conservation awareness,[2] and throwing celebrations for owners of nesting trees used by the greater adjutant.[2][11] Education campaigns were also directed at children and young adults, using games and activities to educate them on the ecological importance of the greater adjutant.[3][2][11][10] A scholarship was also developed for children of nesting tree owners.[10] Barman also gathered support from Kamrup district government by inviting government officials to visit greater adjutant habitats[3][2] and by engaging local forestry and police departments to directly participate in conservation actions.[2][10]

Hargilla Army edit

Barman is also the founder of the Hargilla Army, an all female grassroots conservation group named after the local name of the greater adjutant.[3][8][12][13][9] This name comes from the Sanscrit word for "bone swallower."[14] This group has over 10,000 members including 400 local Assamese volunteers.[15] Their goal is to remove all obstacles that prevent greater adjutant conservation.[13] This movement has been credited with empowering marginalized women and giving them a voice in local conservation issues.[12][4]

Barman and the Hargila Army also actively rescue and rehabilitate injured greater adjutant nestlings.[7] Villagers place nets around nesting trees to catch nestlings if they fall out of trees on windy days (especially during monsoons), and injured nestlings are given medical treatment, rehabilitated at a local zoo then released by the community.[3][7] Barman has also developed an artificial breeding platform for the greater adjutant, which was successfully used to hatch a nestling in 2019.[3]

Since the onset of Barman’s conservation efforts, local greater adjutant populations have increased. When conservation efforts began in 2007 only 28 nests were found in the Kamrup district colony, but as of 2019 there were 200 nests[3] making this greater adjutant colony the largest in the world.[7][16]

Barman is also credited with integrating greater adjutant conservation into the culture of rural Assamese villages.[15] Following Barman’ conservation efforts, villagers of the Kamrup district have become actively involved in greater adjutant conservation [2][10] and as of 2010, no nesting trees have been cut down.[17] Efforts to change the image of the birds from bad omens or pests into one worthy of representation in celebrated human traditions like marriage and childbirth.[18] The greater adjutant has been incorporated into local folk songs, traditions and cultural festivals.[3][9] For example, villagers give expecting greater adjutants a baby shower or Panchamrit ceremony, using the same rituals done for expecting Assamese women,[10] and Greater Adjutant Day is celebrated every year on 2 February.[11] Women of the Hargila Army also weave images of the greater adjutant into their fabrics, spreading awareness about conservation while generating income for their families.[13][11] Another outreach initiative is based around educating elementary-age children in the schools through discussions and games, as well as field trips to the landfills where the scavenger birds can often be found.[19]

Awards and honors edit

Barman was the recipient of the 2017 Nari Shakti Puraskar (the highest civilian award for Indian women) presented by the President of India, Ram Nath Kovind.[20] Also in 2017, a Whitley Award (also known as a Green Oscar) was presented to her by Anne, Princess Royal of the United Kingdom.[21] In addition, Barman has received the Leadership Award 2015 from the Conservation Leadership Programme (CLP),[22][23] the Future conservationist award 2009,[24] UNDP India Biodiversity Award 2016 from the United Nations,[24] Royal Bank of Scotland RBS "Earth Hero Award" 2016,[24] Bharat Sanchar Roll of Honour 2017 from BSNL in 2017,[24] Balipara Foundation "Green Guru Award" in 2016,[24] and the FIICI FLO Women Achiever Award from North East in 2017.[24] Barman has been honoured with the UN Environment Programme’s (UNEP) 2022 Champions of the Earth award in the Entrepreneurial Vision category.[25]

Selected works edit

  • Barman, P.D., A.K Das, B.K Das, S. Biswas. 2011. Conservation Initiatives for Greater Adjutant in Assam, India. Final Report, CLP project ID 331509. Aaranyak.[2]
  • Barman, P.D., M. Barthakur, A.K. Das, J. Das. 2014. Greater Adjutant conservation through community participation in Assam, India. Final Report, CLP Project ID F03110012. Aaranyak.[10]
  • Barman, P.D., and D.K Sharma. 2015. Largest breeding colony of Greater Adjutant, Leptoptilos dubius Gmelin, in Dadara-Pasariya-Singimari Villages in Assam, India. Zoo’s Print. 30(11): 5–6.[16]
  • Barman, P.D., S. Ali, P. Deori, D.K. Sharma. 2015. Rescue, Treatment and Release of an Endangered Greater Adjutant Leptoptilos dubius. Zoo's Print. 30(9): 6–9.[7]
  • Barman, P.D., and D.K. Sharma. 2017. Behavioural ethogram of the endangered greater Adjutant Stork Leptoptilos dubius (Gmelin). International Journal of Zoology Studies. 2(6): 272–281[26]
  • Barman, P.D., and D.K. Sharma. 2020. Foraging analysis of Endangered Greater Adsjutant Stork Leptotilus dubios (Gemlin) in certain habitat of Assam, India. Cold Stream Harbor Laboratory.[27]

References edit

  1. ^ GU fraternity felicitates two conservationists. The Assam Tribune. 2017 Jul 1 [accessed 2019 Nov 6]. http://www.assamtribune.com/scripts/detailsnew.asp?id=jul0117/city058 Archived 12 January 2021 at the Wayback Machine
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Barman PD, Das AK, Das BK, Biswas S. Conservation initiatives for Greater Adjutant Stork in Assam, India. Aaranyak; 2011. Report No.: Final Report CLP project ID: 331509.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Wangchuk, Rinchen Norbu (1 August 2019). "How One Woman With a Special Plan Saved Assam's 'Hargila' Storks From Extinction". The Better India. Retrieved 13 February 2024.
  4. ^ a b "Recent News". Women In Nature Network. Retrieved 13 February 2024.
  5. ^ "Meet our members - Stork, Ibis and Spoonbill Specialist Group". 29 June 2016. Retrieved 13 February 2024.
  6. ^ a b c d BirdLife International. Leptoptilos dubius. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016. 2016 [accessed 2019 Nov 3]. https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/22697721/93633471 Archived 12 January 2021 at the Wayback Machine. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T22697721A93633471.en
  7. ^ a b c d e f Barman PD, Ali S, Deori P, Sharma DK. Rescue, Treatment and Release of an Endangered Greater Adjutant Leptoptilos dubius. Zoo’s print. 2015;30(9):6–9.
  8. ^ a b Purnima Barman, India - Whitley Awards 2017, retrieved 13 February 2024
  9. ^ a b c Perinchery, Aathira (30 December 2017). "Purnima Barman works with communities to protect a scruffy, endangered stork in Assam". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 13 February 2024.
  10. ^ a b c d e f g Barman PD, Borthakur M, Das AK, Da J. Greater Adjutant Conservation Through Community Participation in Assam, India. Aaranyak; 2014. p. 76pp. Report No.: CLP Project ID F03110012. Final Project Report.
  11. ^ a b c d "Welcome to official Website of Aaranyak | Home". aaranyak.org. Archived from the original on 12 January 2021. Retrieved 8 January 2021.
  12. ^ a b "Assam Conservationist Purnima Barman Has Won The 'Green Oscars'". HuffPost. 18 May 2017. Retrieved 13 February 2024.
  13. ^ a b c "Village forms ' hargila army'". www.telegraphindia.com. Retrieved 13 February 2024.
  14. ^ Rhodes, Carla (29 March 2021). "A Biologist, an Outlandish Stork and the Army of Women Trying to Save It". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 28 September 2022.
  15. ^ a b "Meet the Indian Scientist Who Gave the Greater Adjutant Stork an Image Makeover". All About Birds. 22 June 2020. Archived from the original on 12 January 2021. Retrieved 8 January 2021.
  16. ^ a b Barman PD, Sharma DK. Largest breeding colony of Greater Adjutant, Leptoptilos dubius Gmelin, in Dadara-Pasariya-Singimari Villages in Assam, India. Zoo’s print. 2015;30(11):5–6.
  17. ^ "The Greater Adjutant's All-Woman Army | RoundGlass | Sustain". Archived from the original on 12 January 2021. Retrieved 20 October 2020.
  18. ^ Rhodes, Carla (29 March 2021). "A Biologist, an Outlandish Stork and the Army of Women Trying to Save It". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 28 September 2022.
  19. ^ Rhodes, Carla (29 March 2021). "A Biologist, an Outlandish Stork and the Army of Women Trying to Save It". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 28 September 2022.
  20. ^ "Assam's Purnima Devi Barman achieves Nari Shakti Puraskar from President". www.guwahatiplus.com. Retrieved 13 February 2024.
  21. ^ "Green Oscar for Assam conservationist". www.telegraphindia.com. Retrieved 13 February 2024.
  22. ^ Knight T. Endangered giant stork protected by all-female army. Fauna and Flora International. 2018 Apr 18 [accessed 2019 Nov 3]. https://www.fauna-flora.org/news/national-recognition-indian-conservationist-mobilised-female-army Archived 12 January 2021 at the Wayback Machine
  23. ^ "Conservation initiatives for greater adjutant stork in Assam, India". Conservation Leadership Programme. Retrieved 13 February 2024.
  24. ^ a b c d e f "European Environment Foundation". Archived from the original on 12 January 2021. Retrieved 24 February 2020.
  25. ^ PTI (22 November 2022). "India's Purnima Devi Barman honoured with U.N.'s highest environmental award". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 23 November 2022.
  26. ^ Barman PD, Sharma DK. Behavioural ethogram of the endangered greater Adjutant Stork Leptoptilos dubius (Gmelin). International Journal of Zoology Studies. 2017;2(6):272–281.
  27. ^ Barman, Purnima Devi; Sharma, D. K. (1 June 2020). "Foraging analysis of Endangered Greater Adsjutant Stork Leptotilus dubios Gemlin in certain habitat of Assam, India": 2020.05.31.125328. doi:10.1101/2020.05.31.125328v1.full. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
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