How much do you know about the Hargila bird of Assam which PM Modi mentioned in Mann Ki Baat? People used to cut trees considering it inauspicious.

A unique story of Assam has attracted the attention of the country. This is the story of that rare bird Greater Adjutant Stork (Hargila), which people once considered inauspicious due to superstition, but today the same bird has become the symbol of environmental protection. Prime Minister Narendra Modi In his monthly radio program ‘Mann Ki Baat’, he praised the ‘Hargila Army’ campaign being run by the women of Assam. He said that this example shows how scientific thinking and people’s participation can change the old notions of the society.

PM Modi said that many superstitions have been prevalent in the society for centuries. Many times, due to fear, people are not able to understand the right thing and start taking decisions without knowing the facts.

Hargila bird is very important for the environment

Hargila bird is very important for the environment. This bird helps in cleaning dirt and organic waste, but in many areas of Assam it was not considered auspicious for a long time. The trees where it nested were also cut down. Environmental protection expert Purnima Devi Barman worked to change this thinking. She engaged the local women and told them how important the Hargila bird is for nature.

However, the beginning was not easy. Purnima Devi Burman said that when she started researching Hargila, she noticed that a large nesting tree had been cut down. This incident inspired him to start a conservation campaign. Gradually this campaign became the strength of thousands of rural women and was named ‘Hargila Army’.

These women changed people’s thinking by going from village to village and the bird which people once chased away, has today become the identity of Assam. PM Modi said that this campaign proves that with the right information, science and community efforts, even deeply rooted thinking in the society can be changed.