'Hargila Lady' of Assam Purnima Devi Barman was awarded the Nari Shakti Purashkar 2017 from President Ram Nath Kovind for her tireless efforts to conserve the endangered species of Greater Adjutant Stork. The species of bird is commonly known as 'Hargila' is Assamese.
Along with Purnima Devi Barman, 30 other women from different sectors also received the award.
Purnima has earlier won the prestigious Whitley Awards, also known as the Green Oscars, for her efforts in conserving the species.
The global population of greater adjutant storks is estimated between 1200-1800 and around 800 of them are found in Assam, and another 150 in Bihar.
