By NE NOW NEWS
Guwahati: Assam-based wildlife biologist and conservationist Dr Purnima Devi Barman has been selected among 15 global honorees for the 2026 Wayfinder Award, jointly presented by the National Geographic Society and Kia America, adding another international milestone to her conservation journey.
She is scheduled to be felicitated at the National Geographic Society’s Spotlight event in Washington, D.C., from June 14 to 18, and will depart for the United States capital on June 13 to attend the ceremony and deliver an address.
The award recognises individuals from six continents working in science, conservation, education and storytelling for their contributions toward environmental protection and sustainable development. Dr Barman has been acknowledged for her community-driven conservation efforts focused on the endangered greater adjutant stork (Leptoptilos dubius), locally known as the hargila.
She is the founder of the women-led conservation network “Hargila Army,” which has played a central role in changing public perception of the bird from a symbol of superstition to one of ecological significance. Her initiative has also helped expand identified nesting sites from 27 to over 300 over the years.
The movement has engaged more than 20,000 rural women, combining conservation awareness with livelihood support through activities such as weaving cooperatives that produce hargila-themed textiles. These efforts have strengthened local participation in protecting nesting habitats and improving coexistence with the species.
As a result of these sustained initiatives, Assam is now home to the largest known breeding population of greater adjutant storks, with the state’s population exceeding 1,800 birds.
The honour comes at a personal moment of grief for Dr Barman, who recently lost her father, Subedar Major Bhabani Kanta Sarma, a veteran of the Indian Army and participant in the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War. She has dedicated the recognition to his memory, calling him her strongest source of inspiration.
Her earlier global recognitions include the United Nations Champions of the Earth Award (2022), the Whitley Gold Award (2024), and her inclusion in Time magazine’s Women of the Year (2025).