Dr. Purnima Devi Barman, an eminent personality in the field of conservation in Assam, has been honoured with the esteemed Whitley Gold Award for 2024, thus being recognized as the recipient of the renowned “Green Oscar.”
This accolade not only signifies a remarkable accomplishment for Dr. Barman but also highlights the significant contribution of Assam on the international conservation platform.
The Whitley Fund for Nature (WFN) organized an award ceremony to recognize Dr. Barman’s exceptional leadership in the “Stork Sisters” project, which has effectively rallied more than 10,000 women to safeguard the endangered greater adjutant stork and its crucial wetland environments.
Dr. Barman has been awarded the highest honour from the Whitley Awards this year, in addition to a £100,000 prize (approximately ₹1 crore). Her innovative initiatives have not only protected the greater adjutant stork from extinction but have also empowered women in the local community, transforming them into influential conservation leaders.
Dr. Barman’s accomplishments and undertakings have garnered extensive acclaim, as her recent appearance on BBC Radio 4’s Today show provided a platform to discuss her work and the importance of protecting the greater adjutant. This recognition adds to her impressive list of accolades, such as the UN Environment Champions of the Earth Award she was honoured with in 2022.
The 2024 Whitley Awards recognized conservationists from various countries such as Brazil, Bhutan, Papua New Guinea, Guyana, Cameroon, and Nepal for their exceptional work in environmental preservation. Winners of these awards receive financial support aimed at assisting them in expanding their initiatives and making a significant global difference in their specific areas of expertise.
Dr. Barman’s remarkable achievements extend far beyond her role as a conservationist. She is widely recognized and celebrated for her diverse and invaluable contributions as an entrepreneur, economist, women’s rights activist, and wildlife biologist. Through her transformative actions, she has played a pivotal role in addressing the degradation of ecosystems and tirelessly advocated for the protection of endangered species such as the greater adjutant stork.
Dr. Barman’s unwavering dedication stands as a symbol of hope for conservationists across the globe and illustrates the profound influence of grassroots movements in protecting biodiversity.
