Balkhila Model Forest Photo Story Contest

About Balkhila Model Forest
The Balkhila River Basin is situated in the upper part of the Ganges River basin in northern India. Descending steeply from a 4000m altitude, it is one of the many fragile basins in the Himalaya.  Balkhila Model Forest (BMF) in Chamoli district of Uttarakhand state centered around nature conservation and well-being of people.

This initiative aims to connect with people, the land, and communities to capture the beauty, fragility, and interconnectedness of our natural world while raising awareness about the urgent need for conservation and sustainable practices.

Balkhila Model Forest Watershed is one of the important watersheds of the Alkananda basin and is situated between Tunganath and Rudranath in outer Garhwal Himalayan Range, ranging from 600 to 4,500 metres in altitude. The watershed covers an area of approximately 160 sq. km. The BMF was established in the year 2019 under International Model Forest Network (IMFN). The IMFN is a voluntary global community of practice whose members and supporters work toward the sustainable management of forest‐based landscapes and natural resources. The BMF primarily consists of forests, cultivated lands, pastures, water bodies, snow and settlements and is home to a wide diversity of flora and fauna.

Who can participate 
The IUCN Photo Story Contest (“Contest”) is open to all talented individuals of every skill level—from passionate beginners to seasoned professionals.

Theme
We are looking for striking digital photographs that illustrate or tell a story about one of the following themes from the Balkhila Model Forest:
    🌄 Majestic Landscapes: Flora, Fauna & the People
    ⚠️ Potential risks to environment
    💡 Solutions addressing environmental challenges

Guidelines for submitting a photo story  
By entering the contest, participants warrant that they have the rights to their submission

• Photos must have been taken in the Balkhila Model Forest 
• Size Limit: Maximum 8 MB per photo and no smaller than 1 MB
• Caption & Description: High-resolution images (JPEG/PNG) with a brief caption and description (about 50 words) explaining the context or story behind the photograph and the relevant theme.
• Submission Limit: One photo per theme (up to 3 photos per person).

Extended Deadline: 25 April 2025

Winning photos 
Selected entries will be featured at the International Model Forest Network virtual annual meeting in Canada, and winners will receive recognition and a certificate.

Join us in showcasing the wonders from Balkhila Model Forest and inspiring action to protect it.

Submit your work and be part of a global movement to celebrate and preserve our environment and biodiversity!

Submit your photographs at: [email protected] 

Let your lens tell the story of our planet! 🌍📸

Click here for submission Rules, Terms and Conditions

Click here to download flyer of photo story contest

For further information, please contact: Akanksha Tyagi, Communications and Partnerships Associate, IUCN India
Email: [email protected]