Hargila Bird:
The Prime Minister of India shared about the efforts of thousands of rural women who stepped forward to save the ‘Hargila Bird’ – known as the ‘Hargila Army’ in Assam.
- Hargila Bird is a large and distinctive member of the stork family.
- It is also known as Greater Adjutant Stork.
- It inhabits wetlands, shallow lakes, drying lake beds, and freshwater flooded forests.
- In India, it is mainly found in Assam and Bihar; globally it also occurs in parts of Cambodia.
- These are usually seen singly or in small groups as they stalk about in shallow water.
- These breed during winter in colonies that may include other large waterbirds.
- These are omnivorous birds. Although they are mainly scavengers, they also prey on frogs and large insects and will also take birds, reptiles, and rodents.
- It includes the loss of nesting and feeding habitat through the draining of wetlands, pollution.
- Conservation Status:
- IUCN: Near Threatened
- Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972: Schedule IV
