The nomination process has now come to a close and with the Awards ceremony just around the corner, it is important to remember the simple message they were instituted to spread - people can make a difference.
The judges of the photography awards are reminded of this year after year, as each image reinforces the urgent need to conserve India's wilds. All entries go through a strenuous judging process, designed to distill the very best from scores of hopefuls. This year, the daunting task lay in the hands of celebrated conservationist, Bittu Sahgal, renowned filmmaker, Shekhar Dattatri, and birding aficionado, Sumit Sen.
Shekhar Dattatri's journey began in 2000, with the realisation that the ‘blue-chip' films he was shooting were not underlining the real issues facing the amazing species he would document. In his words, “I began to wonder whether, with all the beautifully crafted films I was producing for television, I was doing anything other than documenting disappearing wildlife and landscapes. Sure, some of the films had conservation messages in them, but were they making any impact on a predominantly passive television audience?" Since that time, Dattatri has never faltered, producing hard hitting and unforgettable films. His victories have been many - his 12-minute film, ‘Mindless Mining - The tragedy of Kudremukh', led to a Supreme Court ruling to close down an iron mining operation within a rainforest. The recipient of several awards and both national and international acclaim, Dattatri's simple ethos is: It doesn't matter who you are or what you do for a living; if you are determined to make a difference, you can.
Sumit Sen started off as a banker but was always drawn to the wilds. In the late 90s, Sen gave up his corporate job to actively pursue his love for nature. Given the choice of location for a meeting with his bank team, he convinced them that Ranthambhore was ideal. The visit changed everything. Sen says, “I realised I had to plan for a life that brought me closer to the things I loved most. That the organisation I worked for changed the way it was doing business in India at around the same time and was also supportive of my desire to find new challenges for myself only helped smoothen the difficult transition from banker to naturalist. In the end, I figured that ulcers, four a.m. flights, 14-hour conference calls and missed targets were hardly signs of a good life!" Today, Sumit is the designer of the popular website www.kolkatabirds.com and the owner of an enviable portfolio.
Together with the stalwart conservationist and writer, Bittu Sahgal, these experts are more than up to the task of selecting the men and women that receive this prestigious award.
Source: Sanctuary Asia
