Dominance. Good is still with d w. Business beyond ah o. At 1st glance, these reaching biodiversity wetlands of ne india evoke images of peace and serenity. But they also hold a terrible secret, rapidly shrinking weapons have become an existential threat for the many species that reside here. Including one of indias most endangered birds, the greater adjutant with but a slow and steady musical revolution is taking hold in the villages here led by rural women. Their efforts have renewed hopes to bring this historic bird back from the verge of disappearance. Ah, ah. The village of dad or i i some stayed lies on the Northern Bank of the mighty from up to of a river. Most families here lived traditionally burning a simple income through small jobs in awe. Petima wretch bunk. She lives here with her family, as well as her cows, parents and pigeons. In for this livestock helps them earn a little extra money. Ah, living in harmony with animals is not uncommon for most of the households here. Ah, but one unlucky bird fell out of favor with the villagers. The greater Adjutant Stork is one of the largest members of the stork family. In assamese, it is called ha glass, which means bone swallower. The high gallows are scavenger birds who primarily feed on dead animal flesh, standing at 5 feet tall, they are imposing the lars with a wink span of over 8 feet. Well, it hub, i see i used to only see the heartless, negative sites that they pope everywhere and before la courtyards and houses, they didnt understand their importance, glory, a scavenger burned hard killers are extremely crucial to keeping the wetland ecosystem in balance. But because of its looks and lifestyle people considered it a bad omen and targeted its nests to prevent its population from increasing. Ah, ah, ah, in the 19th century, hundreds and thousands of greater adjutants were found across south and southeast asia. This stork belt stretch from pakistan all the way to vietnam own, but widespread destruction of its home in the wetlands largely due to human encroachment, led to a decline so severe that the greater adjutant went from being one of the most common storks to the rarest in 2014, it was declared and endangered species. Ah, and i pony my davy berman is a conservationist faced and i, sam, she is examining this landfill which is less than 20 kilometers away from the nesting site of the hagler. It also borders the deeper. Beal wetland as the borders of the landfill have extended further and further into the wetland over time. The food habits of the storks have also been impacted in 2008 while studying zoology in her masters program. She became interested in the greater Adjutant Storks it wasnt a subject that fascinated a lot of environmentalists. But point emma found herself drawn to the cause of this much reviled bird. Along the way, she realised that the bird survival faced more than one problem the in guy was done, we mix everything like plastics and all. So we are we human beings. So also it, its, its, its, its our fall, we mix everything and then is this plastics goes to and they are so much because they are inside of food. And this is one of the reason that people did them as this getting bears and miss emerge. Them apart from feeding on carcasses of dead animals distorts when usually catch small fish and insects from the wetlands rivers for their young. Mm. But those waters are now mixed with the garbage here in the hog as a forced to forage for sued amongst peoples waist. Ah, this morning, though, the village of data is being prepared for a special fest. Ah, prettyman is overseeing all the different tasks that need to be completed. Preparing the refreshments for instance, which will all be made using local ceremonial methods well, hand pounding the wheat. The woman also willingly to ward off any negative penalty. 6 ah, ah, this week is then mixed with taggers to make several regional delicacies. Bananas needs that are found in abundance here are often used as decorative items, holy offering of lamps dipped in, clarified butter is also me all the customs undertaken to day are extremely traditional practices of the communities that live in this area. And women are at the forefront of all such cultural activities. Mama did you wanna name it in a womens day event has been organized for today. It will focus on how we women can progress. So how we women can do anything today will celebrate women. Ah, well, a lot of conservation efforts are poured into saving better known species like tigers or elephants. The fight for the heart of the has been an isolated one and pur anymore its lonely soldier. The everything started from a, an incident when it barson had got down in this thing tree and i was there and i saw the babies. Oh, falling down and if you died and if you were alive. So debating. I, i had to be done extended hardy labord and i found it, do we done most beautiful bought into a wall and i found more than that. I found it to be so we know sand our why live dear . So, you know, saying they need our voice. Ah, after that incident parent and matt gave up on her ph. D plans. She realised that her thesis on the bird would not be of much use if the bird itself did not survive. Ah, im ready connected to high gland m. They are my swords down my life program. I want to build people that leg that they are like our seal. Then we should treat them leg leg as our own Family Members, because they come so close to human hab edition. They need our help, didnt need our protection. Ah, the deleted the data and the 2 surrounding villages of parthenia and siena, maria in the Northeastern State of a, some of the largest clusters of haga in the world. This is no coincidence. Ah, these women who are celebrating each other today, call themselves the hard to le army. Ah, the hearken, the army is a conservationist group comprising of rural women who are on a single mission. Ah, and that mission is to save the heart below before its too late. I, unlike mainstream methods of species protection, the heart of the army prides itself in using cultural tools like traditional music festivities and dance to spread their message. I spoke song and dance are a huge part of community culture, not just in a some, but throughout india. When the har gala army takes its celebration, style of Environmental Activism to the streets, it is met with instant success. Her members rate your own songs about them, hard to learn that they seem to the tune of existing folk and devotion a song a one, but i want them. I know most guys on iso endorse aguayo. I weigh much more. Ha ha, are up in alaska . Dicky mccollugh echoed i was, i, i now army dont wanna be that strong. Echo di rami that would don Morgan Gloria by name. Would they be so good about you . It did was a me down ago in 2014 a big her name of founded the high gala army. She led them with a simple idea that the heartless were a part of their local culture in history illness. And by adopting them as one of their own, these women could make a real impact on saving this species from extinction. Without them i often that, oh boy, no my deb on various i so able saw i would get on it. Its all right. I got to up and look as i ne, by hes a boring eyes and oh, horrible, horrible it. Yeah. A do home bubble up. None of us have bordered on it. So i would say by do, did you stop packing your debt . Yup. 90 led baldwin. Mm. Mm hm. It is with a hoc in the army, operates border, coo hottie, the capital city of a some in the last 50 years go hotties population has more than double to make way for the expansion of human habitat, wetlands that once surrounded the city have been rapidly cleared mm even though many communities in the northeast of india or match millennial, this is not really resulted in women having more advantage or independence in everyday life. Men are usually the only ones who are able to leave their house for an education or job. And with that had the ability to earn an income. Ah, the per capita income of a sum is one of the lowest in the country. Oh, her emma lives and grew hottie with her husband and twin daughters conservation work. Unlike a 9 to 5 job can continue 247 but being one of the only female conservationists in a some has not been easy although it is not mans and anyway, but he did it is he did that oil in it all. Men cannot be gonzales and his so i had that day and then there be, are in my life in so do when i was working. And then when i have this barrier, and i realize more about the way men empowerment, because if i having my, my study, having a good education, if i could fit that. So how, what about those who really room in, ah, that only encouraged pretty much to involved in real women. She knew that once given an opportunity, like her women would be able to bring a considerable change in peoples attitude towards the bird. Busy ah, so if we all day mean hiding and so one or many they know every or many they create the season mother season so. So if we, if we could drop them in, i think our mission would be successful. Tough as it might have been. Her efforts have not gone unnoticed. I hern. Emma has won several awards and grants, which she likes to keep laid out in her living room as reminders. Oh yeah. I know. I. Oh i what is the women whose life drastically changed is to nally berman to nally, moved to dara in 2015 after marriage, where she came in contact with the heart of the army that demons on us away. When i got here, there wasnt much awareness about the business. If the American People didnt really know much about the hog elect or how it could benefit them, level one of our what im born the my by the way then when nima came on foot, the hog in the army, lydia away, come gun after i started working with the high geller army and was able to earn some income, it really made a difference for my family. I think lana the damn me. And once we started attending meetings and leaving the confines of our home, we started to understand more of the world. But what was sad, it motivated us, it changed the course of our lives. Im or the one of the diag wont be holland illegal in. Ah, in one of her award applications, panama proposed to buy sewing machines to help recruit women in the heart of the army. And it worked. The lure of such an opportunity brought hundreds of women into the movement. Ah, that the m y i glare midday. I now have a new sense of identity. What ive done is i know i am donnelly bowman, member of the hagler army. I met at the hottest, so yeah, having black hockins, its live in these trees. So i mean, what i did, they live right next to my house diamond that we can see the birds. We can hear them and we can smell them. And its a smell. You will never forget a grass out of these intimate spaces shared by the birds and humans, had created a huge challenge for the har gala army as they pushed for a change in behavior towards the bird. The droppings of the bird comparable to those of a big animal. Create a stench that fills up the entire area where it resides. In ohio, humpy, there are a few issues that we have to deal with. If a bird falls down from a tree and we failed to notice, or if it dies, then theres a strong stench and, and people start to complain about the smell. They come and tell us why the smell is coming from a nozzle. I havent checked on any of the the trees that the hard on the generally build nests on are called the cut them, or bar flower trees. A fully mature tree can grow up to 45 meters. Parket less usually build their nest right on top. The harlow chick is dependent on its parents entirely until 4 months after its birth. While learning how to fly, it is common for young hargum babies to fall out. Many times, even though it is fallen from its nest, the baby bird can be saved if it is found in time. After years of awareness campaigns, the villagers know that if they spot a baby bird that has fallen from the tree, they can call any member of the heart of the army. Usually per niema or her team can arrive as quickly as possible to the location and try to save the bird life. Oh oh i my doctor might be the media biggest the bye bye. My. It is a high months bud. Just dying to fly and go back, but oh it then, but oh, then then suddenly feel that it happens every year as i mentioned in more than 50 percent. But hold on in need need rescuing all and many of them dias. Ah. Despite several requests, neither the State Government nor the Forest Department have set up a formal center for rescue and release of hard to live. For now, the Forest Department does allow, pardon him, his team to use a room in an abandoned office. It is not as good as it did simply negatively made it like you did. So la, already gum or gracie. But this does not deter pennyman, who leads no stone unturned to try and save the rescued birds. Sometimes however, injured animals require Trained Medical aid, and this can be complicated when no such facilities are available. They dont have a 3rd here, but we have to add internet to quality head from and the venue vision. So you said that he would be gone. Youd be dying to come, why arent emma becomes a surrogate mother to the rescued birds . Only 1200, greater adjutant storage remain on the entire planet. These wetlands are also shrinking at an alarming rate. Along with human encroachment, Climate Change forces and pollution are drying up their water sources more than a 1000000000 people depend on them for a living and 40 percent of the world species live and breathe in wetlands. Ah, the future of the planet is also its state. If these fragile ecosystems disappear forever, ah, and without a natural habitat, the hardened as existence will come in conflict with human activity. Even more. This makeshift ski center is in a deplorable condition. Despite efforts of the heart of the army, no one else as yet seems interested in taking the life of the rescued harmless seriously. I merely thrust a bit because i feel like that though the hard glovers dont get dressed bag after there is do the where and under any my leg, tigers, and i know they have had their have if something happens to the other animals lighting dialogue, lard doesnt did the same as big from the office as an all day. Oh oh, i get the village. Women of the hog in the army are in preparation mode again. No. Hello. Hello laura, me. Alejandro. There is a meeting tomorrow in go a hearty. I dont wanna. Its a 10 oclock law baller, i mean, yeah. And it will be good if we could get more women to attend to say ok. I never got a lockheed martin. Dost thou has a i dont, he said i am ah, today the mission is to organize a meeting at a new village in order to recruit more women into the army. Patty, my takes the lead again. Oh no, a day. Oh, im a community leader. So i have to take responsibility on 40 coin korea. So theres a meeting today, an important meeting i will make. Do we want to think of how to bring in more women into the army . I recall how to make them aware. Ive extended an invitation to lots of women. I called many on the phone where i dont dig a line of now im going door to door to reach those that i couldnt call at them. I know im calling about is eva lim, white. Im 180 meeting. Welcome i do i do. Oh, my i li. I said over time learning how to organize themselves and speak about Environmental Issues to strangers. Has given these rural women a confidence, they didnt know they had no near death. No knee. What are you doing here . Good. Yes. We have to discuss the details of the meeting meeting. Yeah. Hannah say 11. Yeah. Allison, with, for the 1st time in their lives. They have complete ownership over their time and actions without the involvement of man. As one of the only female conservationists in this region, per anymore is often invited to give inspirational talks at different places. Youre going to e mommy Company Based in boss or yeah, actually when i, when i go and meet people angry at erin is it helps because they get more to learn about the boards and it alerts them ah, this morning she will be addressing female workers at a cosmetics factory. Over 600. 00 women are in attendance. It takes one Success Story to inspire thousands of others to break gender stereotypes. And perma is a skilled public speaker who easily and raptures her audience with the game. For what big, rocky morrila, i mean brooklyn probably go on a road, but they greg it more and more he let me go ponder, i believe all toys the i really go. Brock, theyd be able to go rock, baby hub, better. Now do you have done on it . Good to get brought it the hobbit, the now you hung up and i look in one of the people i me but big but big more. He likes higher on me. Does anti ali wrote big movie ladder . Awkward on the hub, the essay. Yeah. No limit that what the guy made them out of bound to i dont what, what do you want your t for name . Um i do have oh wow. No, t o a a School Workshops are also conducted to teach children about the birth, but more importantly, to start Environmental Education at an early age. So moscow, iowa is often equal i give up no way i may deal from on high, you know, i mean ive been housing in the my did my limit for adults. The learning is rooted in cultural references for students. Information is passed on through games and i love my be done. O children are also taught about the interdependence of each species through a game per name who calls the web of life. No brought him away. No daily deli at the my to hold down again the belie. Im a hog albano. When i do coupon, does allison jacobo pick . Will you say yet good about . Keep what on boise or know the boys a by by you, is there mar noise . A who is always a kid . Who is a goro say bob was a bug and a get as al corners . I got bad looked on it. Okay. Oh, by melanie. If hello, hold on, let me go to when i me as a little bit at bad, the lord and a good dial tone is about not only going to go why did already so i know they are the fuser and the in order you said is dependent on damon, we know we have dual and bar dead poise that we have to and bard him to us conservation. Ah, the tradition of weaving is an intrinsic part of assamese culture. Ready ah, the historically, a womans weaving skills were an important determinant for marriage eligibility. But today it is a skill that has helped women of the heart of the army to further their cause. Busy ah, with Government Support weaving centers in various villages have been set up for local women are taught to run the move. No, ne ridgemont. She is one of the head weavers of the group. Ah, i do as a fondness on what i say adam body. So we, we know that weve begun in 2015 gabana weaving here ever since sarah, we make various articles of clothing and i also have a loom the home of the boys. Thats where i know we love at here. We wo