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FINDING MY WINGS:THE UNEXPECTED POWER OF HARGILA

Carla Rhodes

My life can be divided into two parts: Before Hargila and After Hargila. That might sound dramatic, but it's how I feel. Before Hargila, I was struggling to find my artistic path. After Hargila, I knew my life’s purpose, and it all began with an unexpected encounter in Assam, India, in 2018. I didn’t go to Assam to see Greater Adjutants, known locally as Hargila. In fact, I didn’t even know these prehistoric-looking birds existed. I was there to explore exotic wildlife I’d dreamed of seeing in person: Asian elephants, rhinos, capped langurs, flying foxes, and hoolock gibbons. Assam’s biodiversity amazed me, but fate had something else in store. On a whim, during my last day in India, I visited the Boragaon landfill in Guwahati—a place that seemed, at first glance, to embody everything I wasn’t interested in photographing.

It was heartbreaking chaos—piles of trash stretching into the distance, reaching upwards towards the clouds. Then, through the stench and haze, I saw them: Greater adjutant storks, towering over the landfill, some stretching their 8-foot wingspans as if from another planet, reigning supreme amidst the turmoil. It’s hard to put into words

what I felt at that moment. All I know is that day in Assam lit a fire within me—a flame that has guided my work ever since.

Back in the USA, I couldn’t stop thinking about Hargila and was stunned to learn they were one of the most endangered storks in the world. I knew I had to do something to tell their story. My research soon led me to biologist Dr. Purnima Devi Barman and her inspiring grassroots conservation movement, the Hargila Army. I reached out, and in 2020, I returned to Assam with a clear mission: to document the story of Hargila and the extraordinary work of Purnima and the Hargila Army.

It was transformative to see firsthand what the Hargila Army had achieved. Walking through the villages of Dadara, Pacharia and Singimari with Purnima, while Hargilas soared on thermals above us, I witnessed how the community had turned the fate of the storks around and transformed their own lives. Greater adjutants were once considered a bad omen but now symbolize pride, livelihood, and resilience. Hargila motifs are now woven into Assam’s traditional textiles, and there are songs, dances, and rituals to celebrate

these majestic birds. Hargila is literally woven into Assamese culture due to Purnima’s conservation work and community action. While in Assam the warmth and hospitality of Purnima and her community made me feel right at home. Staying with Purnima, meeting her family, and sharing everyday life gave me a sense of belonging. I experienced a community spirit I had never felt in the USA. I was always met with kindness and curiosity, often accompanied by the best cups of tea I’ve had in my life! One vivid memory stands out: visiting a Hargila Army member’s home and being served the best pakoras I’ve ever eaten—almost as quickly as a Hargila snatches its food!

My first opportunity to document an environmental photographic story was given to me by Hargila and Purnima. Guided by the remarkable journey of the endangered Greater Adjutant storks and the women saving them, against all odds, the resulting work made during my 2020 Assam trip landed a full-page feature in The New York Times—a turning point in my career that helped share Purnima's conservation message with new audiences across the USA. From there, everything snowballed, opening doors to new opportunities and solidifying my path as a conservation photographer.

Photography is for everyone. It’s a powerful art form that transcends language and barriers, allowing us to share stories, connect with one another, and inspire change no matter where we come from. Back in New York, inspired by Purnima and the Hargila Army, I began focusing on the wildlife in my own immediate surroundings, dedicating myself to documenting the beauty of common backyard species. Since my last visit to Assam, my bond with Purnima has only grown stronger and continues to inspire me daily —she even visited me in New York!

Thanks to Hargila, my life now has a clear direction. These magical storks gave me a purpose greater than myself, setting me on an artistic journey that began in Assam and continues to inspire my work daily. My house is adorned with Hargila textiles, each a symbol of the bond I share with the people of Assam and a reminder of the turning point that reshaped my life. But these items represent more than memories; they embody the lesson that conservation is about our connection to the world around us.

Guided by their pale blue eyes, Hargila taught me to soar higher, believe in myself, and to tell stories of the wild that can inspire change. For that, I will always be eternally grateful.

 

 

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