Assamese Film on Endangered Hargila Stork Wins Special Mention at National Awards

The Assamese non-feature film Hargila-The Greater Adjutant Stork received a Special Mention at the 70th National Film Awards. Directed by Partha Sarathi Mahanta and produced by Mina Mahanta, the film highlights the conservation efforts led by wildlife biologist Purnima Devi Barman and her “Hargila Army,” a group of local women dedicated to saving the critically endangered bird species in Assam. Mahanta dedicated the award to Barman’s efforts, which have significantly boosted the stork’s population through grassroots conservation.