Share to Facebook Share to Twitter Share to Linkedin Greater Adjutant Stork in a garbage dump in India. Rathin Barman Women scientists and conservationists are combining conservation with fashion in India to save Greater Adjutant Storks ( Leptoptilos dubius ) known locally as Hargilas. These giant scavenger birds have a reputation as unwelcome neighbors for farmers, with their noisy, messy and smelly nesting habits; there's less than 1,200 breeding adults left in the world, 75% of which are found in Assam, India.
Purnima Devi Barman , a wildlife biologist in Assam started engaging women in the community through traditional cooking competitions and has now formed a grassroots group known as the ‘Hargila Army’ to change perceptions and empower women, providing them with livelihood opportunities while creating a sustainable and equitable conservation model. "This project is important because it not only protects an endangered species but the Hargila Army now has more than 10,000 women who have transformed from homemakers to conservationists: we empower them with weaving and tailoring by merging the Hargila motif into Assamese textiles," she says, adding that the organisation also empower women through farming and other livelihood activities. "Our Assamese mekhela chadors (women's traditional wear) and Assamese gamosas (traditional towels) are now adorned with Hargila motifs," she says, "Our passion becomes fashion.
" Barman explains that this project started with her PhD stud.
