Purnima Devi Barman: A Beacon of Hope in Conservation and Gender Equality

Indian biologist and wildlife conservationist Purnima Devi Barman has been named in TIME Magazine’s Women of the Year 2025 list. The prestigious honor recognizes visionary leaders shaping a more equitable and sustainable world. Barman stands as the sole Indian woman in this year’s list, alongside global icons like actor Nicole Kidman and Gisele Pelicot of France, a prominent advocate against sexual violence. Her groundbreaking efforts to conserve the greater adjutant stork, known locally as Hargila, have fostered environmental renewal and societal change.

Highlights of Purnima Devi Barman’s Conservation Journey:

1. Global Recognition & Influence:

• Named one of the 13 influential women of 2025 by TIME.
• The only Indian on the list.
• Her work has impacted conservation efforts across India, Cambodia, and beyond.

2. A Defining Moment: 2007 Incident:

• Witnessed a tree being cut down, destroying a nesting site of the greater adjutant stork.
• Overcame resistance from locals to save the birds.
• The incident became the catalyst for her conservation mission.

3. Conservation Milestones:

• Increased the stork population in Assam from 450 (2007) to over 1,800 (2023).
• The species’ status improved from “Endangered” to “Near Threatened” on the IUCN Red List.

4. Founding the ‘Hargila Army’:

• Built a network of over 20,000 women dedicated to stork conservation.
• Blended cultural traditions with conservation awareness.
• Enhanced women’s economic empowerment through community-driven initiatives.

5. Cultural and Social Transformation:

• Introduced baby showers for stork chicks to foster community participation in conservation.
• Promoted traditional weaving with stork motifs, providing women with sustainable livelihoods.
• Conservation has become ingrained in Assamese cultural identity.

6. Expanding Global Impact:

• Schools in France and Cambodia teach students about her conservation methods.
• The Hargila Army model inspires similar projects globally.

7. Selection by TIME:

• Recognized for her work in advancing gender equality, climate action, and social justice.
• Celebrated among other leaders advocating for change, combating violence, and driving innovation.

Legacy and Lessons:

Purnima Devi Barman’s journey demonstrates the power of grassroots movements in addressing ecological and societal challenges. Her Hargila Army is not only saving a species but also empowering women, proving that conservation and community development go hand in hand.

Her story serves as an inspiration to the world, showing how one individual’s determination can catalyze global change.