Cambodia Adopts Assam’s Community Conservation Model for Storks

A community-led conservation initiative is taking shape in Cambodia, inspired by a successful model from Assam, India. The approach focuses on protecting the endangered greater adjutant stork, utilizing a framework known as the “Hargila Army.” Hosted by the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), the initiative aims to empower local women and park rangers in the Tonle Sap Biosphere Reserve’s Prek Toal Bird Sanctuary.

On July 28, 2023, a training program was conducted to equip 20 Cambodian women conservationists with skills and strategies derived from the Hargila Army model. This women-led conservation movement has been instrumental in safeguarding the greater adjutant stork in Assam. The sessions were led by Purnima Devi Barman, the founder of the Hargila Army and a recognized leader in environmental conservation, who also serves as a wildlife biologist at Aaranyak, a biodiversity conservation organization based in Assam.

Barman emphasized the program’s dual focus: integrating traditional knowledge and cultural heritage with ecological science to create community-centered conservation strategies tailored for Cambodia. “Our sessions are aimed at inspiring participants to develop community-centred conservation strategies,” she stated.

The training featured a range of engaging activities designed to enhance participants’ skills and understanding. Highlights included leadership exercises to identify women’s strengths in conservation, cultural integration activities that linked local traditions with environmental values, and creative explorations of nature reflected in textiles. Additionally, a game illustrating biodiversity interdependence, called the “web of life,” was a notable aspect of the program.

Local community members and rangers unveiled educational posters showcasing the behavioral ethogram of the greater adjutant stork, symbolizing their commitment to conservation awareness and coexistence with wetland wildlife.

Phearun Sun, the WCS Tonle Sap Landscape Programme manager and coordinator of the event, expressed optimism about future collaborations between the Assam conservation team and the Prek Toal communities. “We are excited to see how these partnerships will evolve,” Sun remarked.

During the training, a new global network named the Sisters and Brothers of Storks was established, aimed at supporting the conservation of stork species worldwide. Barman highlighted the broader objective of this initiative, stating, “This is not just about saving a species. It is about empowering communities, especially women, to become guardians of nature by weaving conservation into the fabric of their culture and daily lives.”

The adaptation of the Hargila Army model in Cambodia represents a significant step toward fostering sustainable conservation efforts that are deeply rooted in local communities. As the world continues to face biodiversity challenges, initiatives like this underline the importance of empowering individuals and communities to take charge of their environmental stewardship.