Indian Nature Activist Purnima Barman Only Indian on Time Magazine's Women of the Year 2025

By: WE Staff | Friday, 21 February 2025

• Purnima Devi Barman mobilized Hargila Army to protect Endangered Greater Adjutant Storks
• Time Magazine named Purnima Devi Barman as ‘Women of the Year’ 2025, Only Indian Woman on the List
• Nicole Kidman & Gisele Pelicot named as Global Icons in Campaign Against Sexual Violence

Purnima Devi Barman, an Indian biologist and wildlife conservationist, has been named Time Magazine's 2025 'Women of the Year' for her exceptional work in wildlife conservation. She has mobilized a "Hargila Army" of 20,000 women to protect the endangered Greater Adjutant Storks in Assam, India. She is the only Indian woman on the list.

The nature activist experienced a significant shift in her life in 2007 when she discovered a tree that was home to a family of greater adjutant storks being cut down in Assam. Her efforts led to the 450 stork's relocation from endangered to near-threatened status in 2023 as she felt the 'importance' of the call of nature.

Purnima Barman noted "Everyone surrounded me, started whistling at me. But all she could think about were her infant twin daughters. Like the storks, they were so small. She was compelled to rescue the birds. Feeling their heartbeats moved her."

Ms. Purnima along with the Hargila Army, a team of 20,000 women protects bird nests and educates others about their beauty. The network expands to India, Cambodia, and France, with schools teaching about Purnima's work.

Time Magazine identifies 13 women as Women of the Year each year, addressing significant issues like gender-based violence, attacks on women's rights, and climate dangers. These women are working towards creating a better, more equitable world. The list names Nicole Kidman and France's Gisele Pelicot who has been drugged by her husband and raped by over 70 men, have been named as global icons in the campaign against sexual violence.