A celebrated documentary by Dr Parthasarathi Mahanta showcasing a unique conservation story
GUWAHATI: ‘HARGILA – The Greater Adjutant Stork’, a compelling short documentary directed by senior police officer and filmmaker Dr. Parthasarathi Mahanta, IPS, highlights an extraordinary conservation success story led by the resilient women of Dadara-Pasaria villages in Assam. At the heart of this effort is Dr. Purnima Devi Barman, recipient of the prestigious Whitley Award, whose dedication transformed community attitudes and helped rescue the Greater Adjutant Stork from the brink of extinction.
Once listed among the top 20 most endangered species globally by the IUCN, the Greater Adjutant—locally known as Hargila—was nearly lost to habitat destruction and public apathy. Through community-led conservation and grassroots mobilization, particularly involving rural women, the bird’s survival story became a symbol of ecological and cultural revival.
The documentary, produced by Mina Mahanta and Indrani Baruah, has resonated with audiences worldwide and has been officially selected and screened at nine international film festivals, including
Mumba Short Film Festival INDIA, 2022; S.O.F.A Film Festival (Animals, Wildlife, Environment, Conservation), 2022; 11th Delhi Shorts International Film Festival, 2022; Tagore International Film Festival, 2022; Goa Short Film Festival, 2022; Pune Short Film Festival, 2022; Wildlife Conservation Film Festival, 2022; 15th Jaipur International Film Festival, 2023; and the 13th Dada Saheb Phalke Film Festival, 2023.
Adding to its acclaim, “HARGILA” was conferred a Special Mention in the National Film Awards 2022, recognising its powerful narrative, cinematic impact, and contribution to environmental awareness.
In celebration of World Environment Day, the film has been made available for public viewing on YouTube, allowing global audiences to witness this inspiring conservation journey.
The YouTube link is –
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EMpJrkc7mK4.
The documentary not only celebrates the revival of a critically endangered species but also underscores the strength of community-driven conservation. It is a tribute to the power of collective will, local wisdom, and the role of women in redefining ecological stewardship, a press release said.
Also Read: Assamese Film 'Hargila' Honored with Special Mention at 70th National Film Awards
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