How Assam's 'Hargila Army' Defeated Superstition to Save a Rare Stork
In his monthly 'Mann Ki Baat' radio address, Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised a community-led conservation campaign in Assam that successfully challenged deep-rooted superstitions to protect the endangered greater adjutant stork, locally known as 'hargila'. The bird, which plays a crucial role in cleaning the environment by scavenging, had long been targeted because many considered it a bad omen. Trees bearing its nests were also cut down, pushing the species towards extinction.
PM Modi highlighted the work of biologist Purnima Devi Barman, who resolved to change these misconceptions. She began by speaking to women in villages, explaining scientific facts about the bird's ecological importance. 'This was the beginning of a major transformation,' Modi said, noting that the hargila soon became part of the villages' identity. Women joined the conservation movement in large numbers, forming what is now known as the 'hargila army'.
Despite initial resistance, the women prevailed in driving away superstitious beliefs. The Prime Minister warned against superstition, saying it breeds fear, and when fear dominates the mind, a person stops seeing the truth. 'People steeped in superstition begin making decisions without logic or facts, leading to great harm,' he added, while hailing those who challenge such beliefs with science and reason.
Modi also touched upon other positive developments from the Northeast, including the Nagaland Baby League, which nurtures football talent from a young age, and the Nagaland Women Futsal League, an indoor football competition played on a smaller field. He highlighted the living root bridges in Meghalaya, praising the community efforts behind their growth as a sign of deep respect for nature.
Additionally, the PM appreciated a Maharashtra family for providing accident insurance to nearly 3,500 people in their village on the occasion of a wedding, and a group of women from Madhya Pradesh who converted plastic waste into eco-bricks to beautify public spaces.
The hargila conservation story stands as a testament to how grassroots efforts, driven by science and community participation, can overcome age-old fears and protect India's natural heritage.
