Hargila Army Inspires Conservation Efforts in Prek Toal Sanctuary

Cambodia: A community-led conservation training was held at the Prek Toal Bird Sanctuary, a Ramsar site in Cambodia’s Tonle Sap Biosphere Reserve, where 20 Cambodian women conservationists and park rangers received hands-on training from Dr. Purnima Devi Barman, UNEP Champion of the Earth and founder of Assam’s Hargila Army. Hosted by Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) Cambodia, the session aimed to adapt the Hargila Army model—a women-led movement that successfully protected the endangered Greater Adjutant Stork in Assam—to Cambodian conservation contexts. Dr. Barman combined traditional wisdom, cultural heritage, and science to guide participants in building community-focused conservation efforts. A highlight of the event was the unveiling of educational posters on the behavior of the Greater Adjutant, designed by Dr. Barman and inaugurated by local community members. Creative activities such as leadership mapping, folk-inspired textile hunts, and the “web of life” game encouraged deeper engagement. Phearun Sun of WCS praised the program’s impact and announced future collaborations between Assam and Prek Toal communities. A new global alliance, Sisters and Brothers of Storks, was launched to promote inclusive, cross-border conservation. “This is not just about a species,” said Dr. Barman. “It’s about empowering communities, especially women, to become custodians of nature.” The training marked a milestone in South-South cooperation, gender-inclusive conservation, and cultural unity for ecological protection.