Nature through Lens - 5

WCN organized its annual exhibition ‘Nature Through Lens- 5’ a culmination to a nationwide annual nature /Wildlife Photography in Nepal from December 29, 2009 - January 3, 2010 at Nepal Art Council, Babarmahal, Kathmandu. The Exhibition was inaugurated by His Excellency Mr. Tatsuo Mizuno, Ambassador, Embassy of Japan to Nepal. WCN has been organizing a wide Nature/Wildlife Photography Competition at national level since last five years and now it has become a platform for nature and wildlife photographers to showcase their talents. WCN Photography Program is an integral part of WCN which has over the years become very popular and an effective tool to inculcate interest on environmental issues among people of varied backgrounds and propel conservation of nature and wildlife. About 160 individuals participated in the competition and were judged by a panel of prominent photographers of Nepal, Mr. Mani Lama, Raj Bhai Suwal, Nripa Dhoj Khadka and Deepak Rana. This year in addition to our four categories of Flora, Fauna, Macro and Landscape, one more category ‘Human interaction with Nature’ was also introduced in the competition with a special focus to Climate change to instill awareness among the photographers and the general public.

Mr. Laxmi Prasad Ngakhusi, student of Lalit Kala Campus as well as a photo journalist of Kantipur Publications bagged the grand prize. Likewise Shikhar Bhattarai and Suraj Dangol for macro , Bibhas M. Suwal and Rajendra D. Adhikari for Flora, Ujjwal Bhattari for fauna and Parakram S. Yonzon and Sirish BC for landscape and Leonardo Mantovani and Laxmi P. Ngakhusi for human interaction with nature were among the top 10 winners of the competition.

The top 10 photographs are published as greetings cards with the support of our valued sponsors : Global Bank, ACE Development Bank Ltd, Infrastructure Development Bank LTD., Birat Saving & Co Operative Ltd. Insight Himalaya Treks and Mr. Prasanna K.C and Mrs Stuti Basnet K.C.These greeting cards are for sale and the fund raised from the sales of cards will be used in the Conservation, mainly to support Urban Wildlife Research, a Scholarship fund and in conservation activities at local level.

Apart from the product of this year’s competition, NATURE THROUGH LENS 5 also showcased 35 pictures of the royal hunts of Nepal in the early 1900s of Mr. Dhirga Man Chitrakar, one of Nepal’s earliest photographers. This has not only added a value to our event but has made people aware of our past so that the future must be paved with caution. It has opened rooms for discussion among conservationists, students and journalists alike.

WCN appreciates all of your presence in the exhibition and your support in our attempt to promote nature and wildlife photography and photographers and would also like to thank our supporters Cannon , Foto Hollywood , Lowepro and 1827 Gallery.

H.E. Mr. Tatsuo Mizuno giving away the prize to the Grand Prize Winner Mr. Laxmi Pd Ngakushi (L) and H.E Mr. Tatsuo Mizuno inauguarting the exhibition(R).