Green Clicks

This year,the exhibition was organised for the second time towards the end of April and got a better response than last year. Apart from its uniqueness with regard to content,the competition also has a novel format. It is organised as a 24-hour race in which the participants are asked to present the story of a crucial environmental issue decided on the spot through photographs. In keeping with the mood of the season,Pimpale says,“You see,it is like an examination.”

Around 250 photographers took part in this year’s event on April 21. The competition was flagged off by Milind Mhaiskar,member secretary,Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB).

At the inauguration,he also expressed the MPCB’s “wholehearted support” for the initiative.

The photographers were asked to take pictures related to the themes ‘Plastic in my city’ and ‘Mumbai’s Earth Day.’

“Usually in photography competitions,the participants are asked to submit photos on a particular theme which they have already clicked. In this event,the theme is declared only around 15 minutes in advance and there are specific time constraints. Also,participants get a chance to interact with each other and enrich their own talent,” he notes.

The group has consciously ensured that the event is different from wildlife or nature photography competitions. “The focus is not so much on depicting what is aesthetically pleasing to the senses but on depicting something which makes a person more aware and gets him to take a a particular stand,” the organisers say.

The Goregaon-based group also hopes to hold similar activities in Delhi and Bangalore.

The organisation,comprised mostly of a group of young nature enthusiasts came into being when they came together as volunteers for a leopard census in the Sanjay Gandhi National Park. “We were surprised to experience the sheer difference in temperature and air quality that we felt after moving only a few kilometres away from the bustle of the city. That is when the idea of coming together for a cause struck us.”

Referring to another image from last year’s event,Pimpale observes,“Though green seems to be losing the battle to the grey of development,it is also true that development too is necessary. There is a need to strike a balance.”

This year’s mascot for the event,too,puts forward the same stand with the effect that can only be achieved by a visual – the imprint of a leopard paw next to a human foot.