To create awareness about the environment and to mark World Environment Day, the British deputy high commission, Kolkata, in partnership with the Indo-British Scholars’ Association (IBSA) and Earth Day Network felicitated 14 winners of the pan-India environment photography competition on Friday.
Amit Sengupta, head of press and communications, British deputy high commission, Kolkata, delivered an introductory speech to set the second season of the event rolling.
The address was followed by Karuna Singh from Earth Day and renowned wildlife photographer Dritiman Mukherjee spoke about the importance of such competition and environmental conservation.
Sengupta said 366 photographers had sent their works and 14 were selected winners under two groups — Junior Group (under 18 years) and Senior Group (above 18 years). “This annual photography competition was announced in April under three categories — ‘Plastic Pollution’, ‘Animals and Habitats’ and ‘Our Changing Planet’,” he added.
“We (IBSA), believe that photography and imagery have the power to inspire, educate and galvanise action into protecting and preserving our planet. Last year, the photography contest was a huge success, with the participation of over 400 entries from across the country. This year, the overall theme was #beatplasticpollution,” said Subrata Paul, president of IBSA.
After its announcement in April, the photographers had sent their work online and were judged by wildlife and conservation photographer Dhritiman Mukherjee, Asia of Earth Day Network regional director Karuna Singh and wildlife photographer and Nikon brand creator Rajarshi Banerji. Several of the participants and winners joined the event online from other parts of the country.
“We are delighted to partner with IBSA and Earth Day Network once again to commemorate this year’s World Environment Day. We hope this collaboration will shine the spotlight on the increasing challenges of climate change that we all face. It is vital that all players including governments, the private sector, think tanks, and consumers join hands to tackle environmental problems and come up with solutions that our future generation could be proud of,” said Yemi Odanye, acting British deputy high commissioner to Kolkata.
