February 20, 2025
Purnima Devi Barman Named in TIME's 2025 Women of the Year
Proof that one person, with a community behind them, can actually turn things around
What's happening?
- Dr. Purnima Devi Barman received recognition from TIME magazine for conserving the greater adjutant stork in Assam, lifting the species from endangered to near-threatened status.
- Her 'Hargila Army' of 20,000+ women protects nesting sites and educates communities, blending conservation with women's economic empowerment.
Why should you care?
- Her work demonstrates how local action sparks global change while protecting vulnerable populations.
- It's a rare story of a conservation effort that is led by women, empowers women economically, and has measurably improved the status of an endangered species.