In recognition to her unrelenting efforts towards conservation of the greater adjutant storks, Assam Governor Prof Jagdish Mukhi felicitated environmentalist Purnima Devi Barman, popularly known as ‘Hargila Lady’ at a function held at Raj Bhawan on Monday.
Hailing the efforts of Purnima, Governor Prof Mukhi said, “Her unstinted efforts augur well for creating a congenial ambience and a friendly and sensible pool of human forces for conservation of greater adjutant storks.”
Terming Purnima as a pride of Assam, the Governor said that Purnima’s mission is a source of encouragement for others to take conservation efforts for the greater adjutant storks to a new height.
He also said that the conservation efforts unleashed by Purnima and her team also rendered a fresh lease of life to the adjutant stork which is an important constituent of environment and the eco-system.
He also wished Purnima all luck in her endeavour and assured all help in her campaign.
Purnima also submitted an action plan to the Governor for endangered greater adjutant stork conservation in Assam.
She also proposed that the greater adjutant stork could be used symbolically for Swachh Bharat Abhiyan in Assam for the species’ potential to clean the environment.
It may be noted that in recognition to her works for conservation of greater adjutant stork, Purnima was awarded with ‘Nari Shakti Puraskar’, by President Ram Nath Kovind recently.
Earlier, Purnima has also won the prestigious Whitely Awards which is also known as Green Oscars.
It may also be noted that Purnima Devi Barman and her team are working towards safeguarding the endangered greater adjutant stork from extinction since the last 10 years, in villages like Dadara, Pachariya and Singimari in Kamrup district.
Assam is the only stronghold of this species at present, with more than 75 per cent of global population present in the State.