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Wildlife Photos Expose Himalayan Waste Crisis
25 May
Summary
- Annual photography contest highlights conservation issues globally.
- New category focuses on Himalayan litter's impact on wildlife.
- Photos aim to raise awareness and drive behavioral change.
Nature in Focus (NIF) established its annual photography contest in 2015 to recognize Indian wildlife photographers and foster a deeper connection with nature. Over time, the contest's mission evolved to encompass a broader conservation agenda, aiming to raise awareness of environmental issues both in India and globally. The competition features categories like 'Animal Behaviour' and 'Wildscape,' with a new addition this year: 'Himalayas on the Edge.'
This new category specifically addresses the negative impact of indiscriminate littering on Himalayan wildlife. Rohit Varma, co-founder of NIF, hopes the submissions will educate people about responsible waste disposal. The initiative is supported by Waste Warriors, an NGO focused on waste management in locations including Dehradun and Himachal Pradesh. Angad Khanna from Waste Warriors highlights how waste accumulation increases human-wildlife conflict, citing instances where animals are drawn to dumpsites.
Setting up effective waste management in the Indian Himalayas is challenging due to the terrain and limited resources. Lack of awareness in mountain communities exacerbates the problem, leading to practices like burning or dumping waste. Wildlife consuming plastic waste is a significant concern, with studies showing high percentages of plastic in the diets of species like Himalayan brown bears. Despite existing evidence, photographic documentation of this issue remains scarce, underscoring the importance of this photography contest's new focus.
