NEW DELHI: Purnima Devi Barman, a conservation biologist best known for founding an all-female grassroots conservation movement in Assam to save the greater adjutant, one of the rarest storks in the world, is among the recipients of the UN Environment Programme's (UNEP) 2022 Champions of the Earth award, which was announced on Tuesday.

The Champions of the Earth award, given annually since its inception in 2005, has been given to pioneers at the forefront of conservation initiatives.

It is the highest environmental honour given by the UN. The award has honoured 111 laureates thus far, including 26 global leaders, 69 people, and 16 organisations. A record 2,200 nominations from all over the world were submitted this year.

"To stop the climate disaster and loss of biodiversity from causing irreparable harm to our world, healthy, functioning ecosystems are essential. The Champions of the Earth this year offer us hope that we may mend our relationship with nature "said UNEP Executive Director Inger Andersen.

The winners this year show how revitalising ecosystems and fostering nature's amazing capacity for regeneration is everyone's responsibility, including governments, businesses, scientists, communities, NGOs, and private citizens. Champions of the Earth for UNEP in 2022 include Barman, a wildlife biologist and recipient of the Entrepreneurial Vision Award, is in charge of the "Hargila Army," an all-female grassroots conservation organisation working to save the greater adjutant stork from extinction.

The women design and market textiles featuring bird patterns, contributing to the conservation of the species and securing their own financial security.

The national waste management strategy for the nation was developed as a result of the work done by Arcenciel (Lebanon), a major environmental firm that received recognition in the Inspiration and Action category.

Currently, arcenciel recycles more than 80% of the potentially infectious hospital trash in Lebanon each year.

Constantino (Tino) Aucca Chutas (Peru), who received recognition in the Inspiration and Action category as well, developed a community reforestation approach that was supported by local and Indigenous communities and resulted in the planting of three million trees around the nation.

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