United Nations: Indian wildlife biology scientist Dr Purnima Devi Barman has been honoured with the United Nations Highest award in environment ‘Champions of the Earth’ for the year 2022.
The award by the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) for Dr Barman, alongwith four others from different countries for thier transformative action to prevent, halt and reverse ecosystem degradation.
Dr Barman leads the ‘Hargila Army’, dedicated to protecting Saras Cranes, which are on the verge of extinction. Only women are members of this group. They prepare masks of Saras and inform the people about varieties of the birds facing extinction.
Purnima was sent to her grandmother near Brahmaputra river, where she started observing birds and took interest in their varieties, migration etc.
Champions of the Earth award is given in various categories. Dr Barman received it in the Entrepreneurial Vision Category for leading the ‘Hargila Army’. She dedicated the award to Mother Earth and all mothers on the planet as the best education begins at home on the mother’s lap.
