Guwahati, July 30: The Cambodian government has adopted Assam’s successful ‘Hargila Army’ model to protect storks through a transformative, community-led initiative at the Tonle Sap Biosphere Reserve.

The initiative, led by Cambodia’s Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), will train 20 Cambodian women conservationists and park rangers in the women-driven conservation approach pioneered in Assam to safeguard the endangered greater adjutant stork. The focus area is the Prek Toal Bird Sanctuary, a vital Ramsar site within the reserve.

On July 28, the training was spearheaded by Purnima Devi Barman, founder of the Hargila Army, United Nations Environment Programme Champion of the Earth, and wildlife biologist with Aaranyak, an Assam-based biodiversity conservation organisation.

“Our sessions are aimed at inspiring participants to develop community-centred conservation strategies tailored for Cambodia by integrating traditional knowledge, cultural heritage, and ecological science,” Barman said.

The programme featured dynamic activities, including leadership exercises to highlight women’s strengths in conservation, cultural workshops linking local traditions with ecological values, “textile hunts” showcasing nature in fabrics and folk art, and an interactive “web of life” game to demonstrate biodiversity interdependence.

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