Himalayan News Service

Kathmandu:

Diverse natural landscapes and forests in Nepal offer a great habitat to a variety of species of insects, birds and animals. The nature itself proffers serene beauty to experience. The diversification of vegetation has become a subject of study and research since long for amateurs and experts. And converting this real picturesque exquisiteness into reel is not only adventurous but also fun, and Environment Conservation Awareness Programme (ECAP) and Wildlife Conservation Nepal (WCN) made an attempt to draw the attention of civil society, government and scientific community to conserve and promote local wildlife by organising a photograph competition of all these by amateur photographers. Over 120 photographs of 67 amateur photographers were on display at an exhibition at DNC Hall, Nepal Tourism Board on January 16 organised by ECAP.

Capturing the beauty that nature has to offer is thrilling and each of the photographs on the show is different and carries a particular essence and speaks volumes. Nirpa Dhoj Khadka’s photograph of locust won the first prize whereas Dinesh Shilpakar’s photograph of Everest Base Camp earned the second prize. Vikash Pradhan tried differently to imprison the beauty of edible mushroom, which earned him the third prize. French ambassador to Nepal Michel Jolivet gave away the prizes to the winners. The panel of judges comprised Amar K Simha, senior producer, Himalaya Films; Deepak SJB Rana, trustee, WCN; Mani Lama, photographer, Dark Room Creations; Pradeep Yonzon, fine art photographer, Fotografo; and Hari Bangsha Kirant, president, Chomolungma, UNESCO Centre.

“The 10 best photographs are being featured in postcards and the proceeds collected from the sale of these postcards will be utilised for the conservation awareness programmes and for the research grants for deserving two biological science postgraduate students through competition for the year 2005 and in conservation activities at local level,” informed Sanjeevani Yonzon, ECAP co-ordinator, WCN.

The exhibition is on till January 18.