1. President Droupadi Murmu recognized Parbati Barua from Assam with the Padma Shri.
2. Barua’s story embodies resilience and passion, breaking gender barriers in wildlife conservation.
3. She is India’s first female elephant mahout, dedicated to elephant conservation and wildlife protection.
New Delhi, May 10: President Droupadi Murmu awarded Parbati Barua from Assam with the Padma Shri, acknowledging her exceptional contributions to elephant conservation and wildlife protection.
Hailing from the historic Gauripur lineage in Assam, Parbati Barua’s journey as India’s first female elephant mahout and a prominent wildlife advocate symbolizes resilience, passion, and an unwavering commitment to her cause.
Her extraordinary tale began in the lush forests of Kochugaon, Assam, where she began her mission at just 14 years old, defying societal norms and challenging gender barriers by taming her first elephant.
Over the years, Barua’s dedication to wildlife conservation has left an enduring impact on elephant habitats across Assam, Kerala, West Bengal, Uttaranchal, and Uttar Pradesh.
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Through innovative methods rooted in traditional wisdom, such as the Mela Shikar technique, she has rehabilitated over five hundred elephants, granting them a life of dignity and security.
Beyond her remarkable achievements in elephant taming, Barua has emerged as a beacon of hope in addressing human-elephant conflicts.
She works closely with forest authorities to implement sustainable solutions and provide comprehensive care to both elephants and their caretakers.
Her expertise and advocacy extend internationally, with her participation in events like the International Workshop on the Domesticated Asian Elephant in Bangkok, Thailand, earning her global recognition.
Parbati Barua’s accolades, including the esteemed Asom Gaurav Award and the United Nations Environment Program’s “Global 500 – Roll of Honour,” underscore her relentless dedication and transformative influence on wildlife conservation.
In 2003, she was appointed as the “Honorary Chief Elephant Warden of Asom” by the Government of Assam.
