The United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration (2021-2030) defines ecosystem restoration as the recovery of ecosystems that have been degraded or destroyed, as well as conserving the ecosystems that are still intact. Healthier ecosystems, with richer biodiversity, yield greater benefits such as more fertile soils, bigger yields of timber and fish, and larger stores of greenhouse gases. Between now and 2030, the restoration of 350 million hectares of degraded terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems could generate US$9 trillion in ecosystem services. Restoration could also remove 13 to 26 gigatons of greenhouse gases from the atmosphere. The economic benefits of such interventions exceed nine times the cost of investment, whereas inaction is at least three times more costly than ecosystem restoration. Restoring ecosystems large and small protects and improves the livelihoods of people who depend on them. It also helps to regulate disease and reduce the risk of natural disasters. In fact, restoration can help us achieve all of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals.
In line with the theme for this year’s World Environment Day, and the launch of the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, ICIMOD is organizing a photo contest on the theme of “Ecosystem restoration in the Hindu Kush Himalaya”. The contest is open to the general public. Each entrant may submit up to five images on ecosystem restoration (please refer to submission requirements and rules below). Entries will be judged on relevance, composition, originality, technical quality, and the caption/s accompanying the image/s. Winners will be announced in October 2021. The 20 best entries will be featured in ICIMOD's website and highlighted in its communications and outreach platforms.
Cash prizes will be awarded to the three best photo entries in any of the thematic categories. Winning entries will also receive a certificate.
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.
Forests
Grasslands and rangelands
Croplands and settlements
Wetlands (including rivers, streams and riparian areas)
Others (cold desert, snow, glaciers)
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 five entries by properly filling in the image submission form.
For any queries on the contest in general and for any difficulties in submitting the entries from the online submission form, please write to Jitendra Bajracharya, clearly mentioning the nature of the problem. However, once the submissions are made, any queries regarding the status of the application and results announcement will not be entertained.
