Arts
Your picture can help save nature
View(s):The Wildlife and Nature Protection Society (WNPS) has just launched its first ever Conservation Photography Competition. This is an attempt to draw attention and awareness to the urgent need to make conservation a priority in all aspects of life. This competition is not for pretty photographs of animals and birds, but rather stark depictions of how humanity is negatively impacting the environment and wild animals, and of why and how they should stop, before it is too late. The entry deadline is March 31.
The competition is supported by Wijeya Graphics (Pvt) Ltd., Sri Lanka’s leading Graphic Design Institute and Ranweli Holiday Village, an eco-friendly and nature protecting resort in Waikkal.
Sri Lanka’s forests and trees are decimated daily, sand is illegally gouged out, rivers, streams and waterfalls are destroyed by hydro and mini hydro-project schemes. In the sea, too, marine animals get entangled in disused nets, rare species are targeted for the pleasure of a few, and plastics pollute once pristine beaches. No one seems to care about what was once the pride of this nation.
While adverse impacts such as poaching, overfishing, industrialization, habitat destruction, garbage dumping, human-wildlife conflict etc. are discussed, over and again within conservation circles, the common practice seems to be to ignore the Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance (FFPO).
In this age of digital photography, it is relatively easy for even a beginner to take a pretty photograph. Conservation photography, goes beyond the entertainment value to be a medium of engagement and of education, by illustrating, why there is an urgent need for change, and the bleak future that humanity would face if that change does not happen. Its powerful pictures show how unrestrained human activity and unplanned development impacts the environment, wildlife, the wilderness and the general health of the planet.
Conservation photography can also show places and instances where humankind has shown foresight and reason to protect the environment and all its creatures so that future generations will have them to marvel at, and benefit by their continued existence.
The WNPS invites photographers to submit photographs that are impactful and carry a conservation message that would stir the conscience of all who see them to make changes that help protect the environment and the natural habitat of wild animals. While photographs should have artistic merit, and be technically sound, the power of their message should be their most important component. Perhaps they will awaken the mindfulness of people to collect their garbage and not dispose of it in the streets and parks, to save the trees in their back yards for birds to roost of an evening, to permit wildlife to live in the wild without encroaching on their ancient domains, to live and let live.
The Wildlife and Nature Protection Society would like all conservation photographers to log into their website https://www.wnpssl.org/ for further details of this competition.The entries could be mailed to cp@wnpssl.org