Greater Adjutant

The Bird Conservation Fund is seeking to raise $5,900 to support the Hargila Army, a grass-roots conservation project led by Purnima Devi Barman at the Aaranyak Foundation to help protect Greater Adjutant in India. This highly endangered stork species has an estimated global population of fewer than 1,200 individuals. This initiative mobilizes women to power the important awareness raising that at the heart of their work. BCF is seeking to help the Hargila Army raise funding to undertake the following activities: 1) Surveys for nesting trees in Assam’s Kamrup and Morigaon districts. The Kamrup district holds an estimated 50% of the storks breeding pairs. These surveys will help the Hargila Army in its advocacy for government agencies to prioritize the protection and maintenance of Greater Adjutant nesting sites; 2) Train police officials so that they better understand India’s species protection and forest clearing laws. This training will enable the police to keep a better watch on illegal activities in Greater Adjutant habitat areas; 3) plant 1,000 trees that will provide future nesting trees; 4) Help local communities understand the Hargila (Greater Adjutant) and its needs. A portion of the campaign will also be focused on reaching school-aged children. Communication, education and public awareness programs are critical to achieving this understanding and inspiring support.