To mark the World Environment Day 2023, the British Deputy High Commission Kolkata in partnership with the Indo-British Scholars’ Association (IBSA) and Earth Day Network felicitated winners of the pan-India Environment photography competition at the British Deputy High Commission, Kolkata on Friday 2 June.

This annual photography competition was announced in April. The competition was aimed towards the Junior Group (under 18 years) and Senior Group (above 18 years). The three categories of the contest were ‘Plastic Pollution’, ‘Animals and Habitats’ and ‘Our Changing Planet’.

The jury that selected the winners comprised of award-winning nature, wildlife and conservation photographer Dhritiman Mukherjee, Regional Director, Asia, Earth Day Network, Karuna Singh and noted wildlife photographer and Nikon brand creator, Rajarshi Banerji.

Mr. Yemi Odanye, Acting British Deputy High Commissioner to Kolkata said: “We are delighted to partner with IBSA and Earth Day Network once again to commemorate this year’s World Environment Day. We have had an impressive line-up of judges who selected the finalists in each category. 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, private sector, think tanks, consumers join hands to tackle environmental problems and come up with solutions that our future generation could be proud of.”

Mr. Subrata Paul, President, Indo-British Scholars’ Association (IBSA) said: “We at the Indo British Scholars’ Association (IBSA) believe that photography and imagery have the power to inspire, educate and galvanise action into protecting and preserving our planet. Last year, we held a photography contest to celebrate the World Environment Day 2022. That was a huge success, with participation of over 400 entries from over 160 towns/cities in India. This year, we in partnership with the British Deputy High Commission and Earth Day Network, organised the second Photography Contest to celebrate World Environment Day 2023 with the overall theme #beatplasticpollution. We have received huge participation from both the professional and amateur photographers on the categories – Plastic Pollution, Animals & Habitats and Our Changing Planet. I am delighted to meet some of the winners at our felicitation programme today.”