Greater Adjutant Storks

–>It is the world’s most endangered of the stork species.

–>Earlier it was distributed throughout northern and eastern India and many countries of south and south-east Asia, it is currently only in Assam and Bihar and a few other locations in Cambodia.

–>It is listed as “Endangered” in IUCN Red list of threatened species.

–>It is locally called ‘Hargila’ in the Brahmaputra Valley in Assam, which harbours more than 80% of the global population of the species.

–>It is considered family by women of Dadara and Pacharia villages in Assam’s Kamrup district.

–>Families observed a unique ceremony of baby shower for the greater adjutant nesting in their neighbourhood.

–>They build colonies on tall trees during their breeding season in winter.

–>A campaign was launched in Assamto save the birds by Aaranyak, a wildlife conservation organisation in 2009.

–>Assam’s renowned environmentalist Purnima Devi Barman has won the prestigious Whitley Awards, also known as the Green Oscars, for her efforts in conserving greater adjutant storks in association with Aaranyak.