India's Trailblazing Elephant Whisperer, Parbati Baruah, Honored with Padma Shri for Lifetime Contributions to Wildlife Conservation

A Trailblazing Journey of Passion, Resilience, and Wildlife Conservation Prowess

As India commemorates its 75th Republic Day, Parbati Baruah, affectionately known as 'Hasti Kanya,' stands tall as the first-ever female mahout, breaking gender norms in a field traditionally dominated by men. Born into an Assamese zamindar family with deep-rooted connections to elephants, Baruah's journey to becoming the "Queen of Elephants" is marked by resilience, passion, and an unbreakable bond with these majestic creatures.

Early Years and Love for Elephants: Now 67, Baruah's childhood was immersed in the world of elephants, with her father, Prakritesh Barua, being a renowned elephant expert. Despite her family's earlier involvement in capturing and selling elephants, a government ban redirected their focus. At the age of 14, Baruah captured her first elephant, sparking her determination to become a mahout.

Her approach to taming elephants emphasizes the importance of the mind over brute strength, a philosophy that guided her remarkable journey into a male-dominated profession. Her love for elephants, as she describes, stems from their stability, loyalty, affection, and discipline.

A Day in the Life of Parbati Baruah: Baruah's daily routine revolves around bathing, teaching, and riding elephants through the forest. Her connection with these creatures goes beyond duty; she even prepares a special treat called 'hadiya' from rice, a favorite among her 'lovers' – the elephants.

Although married briefly in the 1970s, Baruah's dedication to her unconventional profession led her to part ways with her husband, who struggled to embrace her unique lifestyle.

Noteworthy Achievements and Challenges: Parbati Baruah's expertise as a mahout extends to wildlife conservation, where she played a crucial role in mitigating human-elephant conflicts. One significant achievement involved redirecting a destructive herd of over 50 elephants in West Bengal, showcasing her skill and dedication.

In the face of adversity, Baruah had to make the difficult decision to euthanize a rampaging elephant in Chhattisgarh in 2003, reflecting her commitment to maintaining the safety of both humans and elephants.

Padma Shri Honor and Global Recognition: On the eve of Republic Day, Parbati Baruah was honored with the prestigious Padma Shri Award for Social Welfare (Animal Welfare). Her compassion towards wildlife, fearless endeavors in a challenging field, and lifetime dedication to elephant conservation earned her this recognition.

Baruah's contributions extend beyond national borders, earning her the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) award, "Global 500 - Roll of Honour" in 1989. The Government of Assam acknowledged her lifetime work by felicitating her as the "Honorary Chief Elephant Warden of Assam" in 2003.

Legacy and Continued Impact: Parbati Baruah's indomitable spirit and significant contributions to elephant conservation were spotlighted in the BBC documentary, 'Queen of Elephants.' Her journey, marked by achievements, challenges, and unwavering determination, inspires a new generation to break barriers and contribute to the welfare of our planet's majestic creatures.

In honoring Parbati Baruah with the Padma Shri, India not only celebrates the first female mahout but also recognizes a trailblazer whose legacy will endure in the realm of wildlife conservation for years to come.

Reference:

www.thehansindia.com

www.newindian.in