Global Peace Secretariat congratulates TIME Women of the Year honoree Dr. Purnima Barman on International Women's Day

Global Peace Secretariat congratulates TIME magazine's 2025 Women of  the Year  honoree Dr. Purnima Barman of India, on International Women's Day March 8th, for her remarkable accomplishments on saving the Storks and environment in Assam.

"Dr. Purnima Devi Barman's selfless and tireless dedication to the endangered species Hargila Storks,  was self evident in my conversation with Dr. Barman on her amazing journey to TIME global Women's gala in Los Angeles last week, with just a couple days' notice to be there , all the way from Assam'.... Secretary General Kumu Gupta.

Dr. Purnima is a wildlife biologist and conservationist who took it upon herself to protect the disappearing stork species, from down to under 450 to 1800 in present day. Dr Barman  founded the Hagrila Army of Stork sisters, a local women's group, today a strength of 10,000 which has protected these birds' nesting areas  and the wetlands in Assam. 

Dr.  Barman is recipient of Nari Shakti Puraskar (2017) –India, Champions of the Earth Award (2022) – UN’s highest environmental honor and Whitley Gold Award (2024) also known as the ‘Green Oscar’ for her work.

Photo credit: Getty images for TIME 

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