From bad omen to national treasure: The rare bone-swallower stork saved by a female army
BBC • • world
Key Points:
- India's greater adjutant stork, locally known as the hargila, is an endangered bird once feared and reviled but now showing signs of population recovery due to dedicated conservation efforts.
- Biologist Purnima Devi Barman initiated a grassroots movement in Assam in 2007, engaging local women to change negative perceptions and protect the storks and their habitats.
- The all-female Hargila Army has grown to 20,000 members across 47 villages, combining cultural activities, education, and sustainable livelihoods to foster community support for the birds.
- Conservation efforts include promoting the hargila through traditional celebrations, handicrafts, and sales of themed merchandise, which empower women economically while raising awareness.
- Despite
