How to participate

You may submit up to three entries in any of these categories (and a total of five across categories) by filling in the image submission form at https://photo.icimod.org/

• Forests
• Grasslands and rangelands
• Croplands and settlements
• Wetlands (including rivers, streams and riparian areas)
• Others (cold desert, snow, glaciers)

Submission deadline

30 July 2021

Prizes

Cash prizes will be awarded to the three best photo entries in any of the thematic categories. Winning entries will also receive a certificate.

• Winner: USD 500
• First runner-up: USD 300
• Second runner-up: USD 100

Submission rules and requirements 

Theme

Entries must highlight examples or the significance of ecosystem restoration, such as the restoration of degraded terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, forests, grasslands and rangelands, biological corridors, springsheds, and other examples such as agroforestry, urban forestry, organic farming, removal of invasive species, and restoration of polluted or degraded areas. Images that tell the story of how individuals and communities are involved in restoring ecosystems that they depend on are highly encouraged. For more examples of ecosystem restoration, please refer to website of UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration.

Eligibility

Participation in the digital photo contest is free and open to anybody anywhere in the world except to ICIMOD staff, ICIMOD consultants, and their immediate family members.

Each entrant may submit up to three entries by properly filling in the image submission form (see “How to enter”).

Terms and conditions

• Entries must have been taken in the Hindu Kush Himalaya region of any of the following countries: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India, Myanmar, Nepal, and Pakistan.
• Entries must be digital black and white or colour images, submitted in a .jpeg or .jpg format, between 3 and 10 MB in size (300 dpi). Colour images changed to black and white as well as scanned (digitized) images of non-digital photographs, negatives, or transparencies are also acceptable.
• Each photograph must have a caption
• Minimal cropping is permitted. Minor adjustments, including dodging and burning, sharpening, contrast, and slight colour adjustments are acceptable as long as the integrity of the original photo is not compromised.
• Entries should be the work of the entrant, and he/she must own the copyrights. Entries that violate or infringe upon another person’s rights, including but not limited to copyrights, are not eligible.
• By participating in the photo contest, the entrant grants ICIMOD and its media partners a non-exclusive right to display, distribute, reproduce, and create derivative works of the entries and texts, in whole or in part, in any media now existing or subsequently developed, for any educational, promotional, publicity, exhibition, archival, scholarly, or all other standard purposes of ICIMOD. Due credit will be given to the entrant each time his/her photo is used, wherever feasible. ICIMOD will provide a digital or print copy to the entrant (upon request) of any publication that includes his/her image(s).
• Entrants may be requested to send in original image files of their entries.

Exclusions

• Photos that were submitted to ICIMOD-organized photo contests in the past; photos that have been awarded or given honourable mentions in any photo contest, either online or in print; and photos that have already been used in print or online publications are not eligible. However, you may submit photos that you have used in your personal or social spaces such as blogs, Facebook, and Flickr.
• Photos with watermarks or date/time are not permissible. Photos that have been digitally manipulated compromising the integrity of the originals are not eligible. High dynamic range images (HDR) and composite images are not acceptable. Minimal cropping, however, is permitted.
• Photos that are culturally insensitive or portray subjects, especially children or minors, in the nude or compromising situations are not acceptable.
• ICIMOD staff are not eligible to participate in the contest.
• ICIMOD reserves the right to disqualify any entrant whose entry or conduct appears in any way to tamper with the spirit of the digital photo contest; violate the above terms and conditions and exclusionary provisions; or infringe on the rights of third parties. Decisions of ICIMOD are final.

Judging criteria

• Technical quality, clarity, composition, and visual impact
• Overall effectiveness of the photos and accompanying captions in conveying the theme (so the choice of your subject matter and how you choose to describe or caption it are very important)
• Novelty, flair for the unexpected, ability to capture a photo-perfect moment, “wow” factor, etc.