Many white flamingoes spot the vast Ossudu lake on a cloudy morning; against the serene sight is a faint rainbow adorning the grey skies. This is one of many perfect frames honoured on World Wetlands Day, as part of Pondicherry Heritage Festival 2020. Aimed to raise public awareness of the cultural and natural heritage value of regional wetlands, the free photography contest was organised by the French Institute of Pondicherry, on the theme of Wetlands and Biodiversity in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry. The contest included five categories: Landscape and Nature, Landscape and Humans, Fauna, Small Fauna and Flora. Here are the winners from each, as well as the grand prix winner across all categories. The photographs are on display at French Institute of Pondicherry, till March 2.
Morning Rainbow at Oussudu Lake in Puducherry 1st Prize winner under “Landscape and Nature” Category at Wetland Photo Contest Pondicherry 2020.
Summer spree (Great Egrets) at Pulicat Lake in Tamil Nadu, 1st Prize winner under “Fauna” Category at Wetland Photo Contest Pondicherry 2020.
Cast-net fishing at Nallavadu in Puducherry, 1st Prize winner under “Landscape and Humans” Category at Wetland Photo Contest Pondicherry 2020
Dragonfly mating at Sholinganallur in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, 1st Prize Winner under “Small Fauna” Category at Wetland Photo Contest Pondicherry 2020
Bee sucking nectar at Oussudu lake in Puducherry, 1st Prize Winner under Flora Category at Wetland Photo Contest Pondicherry 2020
Life in Nature at Surulipatti, Tamil Nadu, 1st Prize winner under Grand Prix All Categories at Wetland Photo Contest Pondicherry 2020