New Delhi, 26 November 2022 (TDI): The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) established under the United Nations (UN) charter for the climate fight has been named the winner of this year’s Earth Champion.
Dr. Purnima Devi Barman from India is this year’s earth champion. She has continuously worked as an environmentalist for a long time now.
She has been working to save the Greater Adjutant Stork from decline by protecting and restoring their habitats.
Purnima Devi Barman started her ambition as an environmentalist at a tender age when she began developing a love for animals, especially storks.
Her continuous passion for what she liked was finally developed into actions she took later in life for environmental justice.
Her love for birds was more so developed at the age of 5 when she began following her grandmother to the riverbank in the Indian state of Assam.
Away from her parents, she began working on her vision. When asked, Purnima Devi Barman said ” I saw stork and many other species.
My grandmother taught me bird songs. During the lessons, I fell in love with the birds.” This has always been a motivation to be a keeper for the world life of the earth.
Decline of the Adjutant Stork
The Adjutant Stork has had a decline in species for many years now. The destruction of their habitats has caused their decline coupled with the continued pollution of the wetland.
Efforts made by Barman
After gaining her Master’s in zoology, Purnima Devi Barman began her Ph.D. at the very spot of the adjutant Stork. Working on her thesis there she began to undertake a campaign with the help of the people to keep the specie alive.
Her campaign ran for many years. Today, she has been able to protect the remaining species which were left to be extinct. This has made her win this year’s Earth Champion on earth eco-restoration.
The United Nations have continued to advocate for the need to protect endangered species all over the world.
