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Pastoralism has been a way of life, a symbol of cultural identities, and a good example of adaptive and resilient livelihoods for centuries.
Recognising the importance of pastoralism and rangelands in achieving the global goals of sustainable development, climate change, and biodiversity conservation, the United Nations has declared 2026 as the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists (IYRP 2026).
In the Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH) region, this traditional practice contributes to local livelihoods, food and nutrition security, and environmental conservation and has played an important role in maintaining biodiversity and cultural heritage and shaping the landscapes of the region. Pastoral communities, including those raising yak, sheep, and goats, play a crucial role in maintaining high-altitude ecosystems while adapting to harsh climates and rugged terrains.
However, pastoralism and pastoral communities are facing growing challenges from the accelerating climate crisis, policy marginalisation, degradation of rangeland resources, and rapid changes in land use, the environment, and the broader socio-economic context.
To highlight the importance of pastoralism and the challenges and vulnerabilities of pastoral communities in the HKH region, the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Nepal are launching a photo contest to mark the IYRP2026. This contest invites professional and amateur photographers, especially those from rangelands and pastoral communities, to capture the essence of pastoralism in the Hindu Kush Himalaya.
We are seeking photographs that showcase people’s lives and livelihoods, landscapes, and traditions of pastoral communities, emphasising their deep connection with nature and the changing realities they face.
Selected images will be featured in exhibitions, publications, and online portals with the due consent of the photographer to raise public awareness about the importance of rangelands and pastoralism in the region, as well as the challenges they are facing.
Winners will be announced on 20 April 2026 (Nepal Yak Day and in the lead up to IYRP 2026 celebrations).
The competition is open to all photographers. Participation is free and open to anybody anywhere in the world except to ICIMOD staff, ICIMOD consultants, and their immediate family members. To qualify for any category, the contestant must have taken the image between 1 January 2015 and the present (February 2026) within the HKH rangelands. You may submit up to three photographs in each of these categories below by filling the online submission form. Submission deadline: 28 February 2026
Capture the daily lives, traditions, and resilience of Himalayan pastoralist communities.
Showcase vast and diverse rangelands and the natural beauty of pastoral environments.
Feature yaks, sheep, goats, and other livestock, along with traditional and modern herding techniques, and innovative practices.
Highlight festivals, food, rituals, attire, and pastoralist customs unique to Himalayan cultures.
Capture physical evidence of climate and environmental change, socio-economic vulnerabilities, disrupted/degraded ecosystems, threatened livelihoods, everyday struggles of pastoral communities, gender equality and social inclusion (GESI) dimensions, and adaptation and nature-based solutions (NbS), actions that are inspired and supported by nature, and are adopted to help address challenges people are facing as a result of climate change, biodiversity loss, and environmental degradation for climate and environmental challenges.
Traditional processing and preservation techniques (churpi, ghee, smoked meats, local wool carding, spinning, yarning), especially women-led activities; dairy value chains (collection, transportation, small scale local processing); eco-tourism (pastoralist homestays, showcasing of food and culture, sale of artisanal pastoral products); highland and medicinal value products (cultivated or wild herbs, medicinal and aromatic plants).
Sustainable and climate-smart practices: Nature-based solutions such as rotational grazing, bio-corral fencing, water management in highland livestock farming systems, use of local agro-biodiversity such as indigenous grasses and fodder species, medicinal plants for animal health, and integrated livestock farming with highland sheep and goats.
A jury from ICIMOD and FAO will evaluate all photographs based on their relevance to the theme and overall quality. Winners will receive (what about certificate):
The photograph that receives the most online votes will win the Public Choice Award and a cash prize of USD 500. Voting will take place through the competition’s online gallery.
The photograph that receives the jury’s validation based on its relevance to the theme Youth and women in mountain agriculture (Nepal focus) and overall quality will receive USD 500.
Click the link to check the terms and conditions
Participants must submit their photos online through our official website [hyperlink]. Follow these instructions to submit your entries:
Please refer to our ethical and sustainable photography guidelines to ensure your submissions respect people, cultures of the Himalayan region, wildlife, and the environment.
