Purnima Devi Barman Named in TIME’s Women of the Year List

Indian biologist and wildlife conservationist Purnima Devi Barman has been named in TIME Magazine’s Women of the Year 2025 list, which honors extraordinary leaders working for a more equitable and sustainable world. She is the only Indian woman on this year’s list, joining global figures like actor Nicole Kidman and Gisele Pelicot of France, who became a symbol of the fight against sexual violence. Barman’s efforts in conserving the greater adjutant stork (locally known as Hargila) have transformed both environmental and social landscapes.

Key Highlights of Purnima Devi Barman’s Work

1. Recognition & Global Impact

• TIME recognized her as one of 13 influential women for 2025.
• She is the only Indian woman on the list.
• Her conservation work has influenced India, Cambodia, and beyond.

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2. The Turning Point (2007 Incident)

• She witnessed a tree being cut down, which housed a family of greater adjutant storks.
• Faced opposition from the locals, but remained determined to save the birds.
• She realized the urgency of conservation and began her mission.

3. Conservation Success: Protecting the Greater Adjutant Stork

• The stork population in Assam increased from 450 (2007) to over 1,800 (2023).
• The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) changed the stork’s status from “Endangered” to “Near Threatened”.

4. Formation of the ‘Hargila Army’

• Created a network of 20,000+ women to protect the storks’ nests.
• Educates people on conservation through cultural integration.
• Empowers women economically and socially through community-led initiatives.

5. Cultural and Social Transformation

• Introduced baby showers for stork chicks to encourage conservation.
• Promoted traditional textile weaving with stork motifs for livelihood.
• Conservation has now become a part of Assamese culture and identity.

6. International Influence

• Schools in France and Cambodia are teaching students about her work.
• The Hargila Army model is inspiring similar conservation efforts worldwide.

7. TIME’s Criteria for Selection

• TIME selects women based on their contributions to gender equality, climate action, and social justice.
• The list includes leaders combating violence, advocating rights, and pioneering change.