Once widely found across southern Asia and mainland Southeast Asia, the greater adjutant now has a much smaller range with only three breeding populations: two in India (the largest in Assam and a smaller one around Bhagalpur) and one in Cambodia. Who received the Whitley Gold Award 2024 for her conservation efforts of the endangered Greater Adjutant Stork and its wetland habitat?

The correct answer is Dr. Purnima Devi Barman. In News Dr. Purnima Devi Barman received the Whitley Gold Award 2024 for her conservation efforts of the endangered Greater Adjutant Stork and its wetland habitat. Key Points She won the GBP 1,00,000 award from the Whitley Fund for Nature (WFN) at a ceremony in London. The award recognized her work in changing attitudes towards the storks and galvanizing local communities, primarily women, to safeguard nests. Dr. Barman's efforts have led to a significant increase in the number of Greater Adjutant Storks, from 450 to over 1,800 in Northeast India. Her project aims to grow community-driven conservation initiatives and establish a collaborative network for conservation education. The award was presented to her by charity patron Princess Anne, in recognition of her outstanding conservation work. Additional Information The greater adjutant is a member of the stork family, Ciconiidae. Its genus includes the lesser adjutant of Asia and the marabou stork of Africa. Conservation status: Endangered. Scientific name: Leptoptilos dubius. Family: Ciconiidae. Class: Aves. Genus: Leptoptilos. Order: Ciconiiformes.