Conservationist Purnima Devi Barman receives World Female Ranger Award 2022

A female conservationist and wildlife biologist from India has been internationally recognised for her important work protecting a critically endangered species of bird.

Purnima Devi Barman has been changing perceptions of the Greater Adjutant Stork, a bird that is often been referred to as an ugly, disease-carrying pest.

But thanks to Purnima, the rare stork is now considered to be an important part of culture and a symbol of pride in the state of Assam in India.

Purnima and the Hargila Army (Andrew Johnson)

The Greater Adjutant Stork (Andrew Johnson)

Purnima is the recipient of the World Female Ranger Award (Andrew Johnson)

The endangered stork in flight (Andrew Johnson)

Purnima educating school children (Andrew Johnson)

After growing a network of more than 10,000 women, Purnima and her ‘Hargila Army’ are constantly monitoring the nests to protect the birds from imposing threats. This includes habitat loss, poaching and poisoning.

The impressive conservationist is also responsible for the world’s first artificial breeding platform, hatching chicks to help support dwindling population numbers.

Her efforts have not gone unnoticed, as Purnima is now the recipient of the World Female Ranger Award 2022, an initiative first launched last year during World Female Ranger Week.

The endangered stork in a nest with its young (Andrew Johnson)

Accepting the title, Purnima said: “I’m humbled, honoured, and excited to be receiving the World Female Ranger Award 2022. I convey my humble gratitude for recognizing the need for protecting endangered Assam’s Hargila and similar species.

She continued: “My acceptance of this award and honour would not be complete without acknowledging the ground breaking work by courageous women rangers and eco-guards from all over the world. Bringing women to the forefront in conservation movements can create miracles as our Hargila Army has done. I hope we can work together towards more gender equity along with environmental sustainability. There are many challenges still and we are determined to face them and win through”

Set up by global NGO charity How Many Elephants, the World Female Ranger Award recognises the women who show ‘exemplary service andcommitment to conservation’.

Founder of How Many Elephants, Holly Budge, said: “We are delighted to give recognition to Purnima through this award, plus a grant kindly sponsored by the Globe Foundation.

“She is an inspirational woman making tangible real-world impact; Protecting wildlife, uplifting communities and empowering women.”

The work of rangers is paramount for the protection of wildlife, but the impact of the pandemic has severely impacted tourism and therefore many conservation projects.

The World Female Ranger Awards highlights how critical this work is, while also shining a light on gender equity.