LAGUNA --  The ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity (ACB) launched the photography competition, Zooming in on Biodiversity as part of its efforts to further promote appreciation for biodiversity and highlight humanity’s role in its urgent conservation.

“Nature is in a precarious state, and we must act now if we are to reverse biodiversity loss,” ACB Executive Director, Dr. Theresa Mundita S. Lim said. The discussions during the recently concluded first phase of the Fifteenth Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD COP15) underscored the urgent action needed to protect nature. Following these discussions, the ACB chief emphasised that the climate and COVID-19 crises we are currently facing continue to remind us of our close relationship with nature. “If we are to move towards a resilient future, we need to take biodiversity into account in our development paradigm,” Lim said.

As an integral part of the region-wide #WeAreASEANBiodiversity campaign, the contest encourages ASEAN citizens to visually narrate the vital link between human and biodiversity.

The photography competition is open to all amateur and professional photographers in the ASEAN region. Two categories have been announced for the 6th staging of Zooming in on Biodiversity. The General Category, #WeAreASEANBiodiversity: I am part of the solution focuses on the richness of ASEAN’s rich biodiversity, and the active role of people, as part of nature, as a vital part of the solution to conserving this rich natural heritage.

On the other hand, under the ASEAN Heritage Parks (AHP) Special Category, submissions should highlight the natural and cultural richness of any of the 50 AHPs found across the region. Photos should be taken in or around these outstanding protected areas of high conservation importance.

Meanwhile, this year’s contest will also be crossing over to another exciting platform, Tiktok. The #WeAreASEANBiodiversity Tiktok Challenge explores the creative skills of ASEAN netizens in telling their story of living in harmony with nature. Entries may include snapshots of visits to protected areas, wildlife encountered in residential spaces, and ways they contribute to biodiversity conservation. 

“You can be part of the solution by sharing your stories and inspiring others to protect our planet,” Lim said. “Photographs and social media platforms such as Tiktok are effective and entertaining media that can help us amplify our call for a more resilient future through biodiversity conservation.”

Deadline for the submission of entries is on 3 December 2021.

Grand-prize winners of the General Category and the AHP Special Category will receive USD 1500 each, while the Tiktok challenge winners stand to receive USD 300 for their creativity.

To learn more about the mechanics and other details of the contest, visit zoomingin.aseanbiodiversity. org.

Zooming in on Biodiversity is supported by the European Union through the Biodiversity Conservation and Management of Protected Areas in the ASEAN (BCAMP) Project. (ACB)