British deputy high commissioner Kolkata & IBSA promote wildlife conservation through photography

The British Deputy High Commission Kolkata and the Indo-British Scholars’ Association (IBSA) recently collaborated to highlight wildlife and our living planet through the powerful medium of visual storytelling. The event, held at the British Club Kolkata on June 10 underscored the critical importance of our fragile planet and the urgent need for conservation efforts. It emphasised the vital role of wildlife photographers in documenting animal movements, studying habitats, and illustrating the impact of climate change and human influence on their existence.

Reflecting on the initiative, Dr Andrew Fleming stated, “Photography, and by extension film, is a powerful medium to capture different themes and inspire change. Wildlife is one such example and has been a vehicle of success for the conservation of many of the world’s best-known endangered species, including the Royal Bengal Tiger. But this is just the tip of the iceberg—threats to our natural world continue to mount. Plastic pollution, this year’s World Environment Day theme, is a scourge for land and sea creatures alike. Some scientists predict that by 2050, there will be more plastic in our oceans than fish. So my message is that we must do more to tell the stories of environmental impact in all our collective work and encourage more young people to follow in our footsteps.”

Simon Hill, president of the Royal Photographic Society, UK, also remarked, “For over 170 years, the Royal Photographic Society of Great Britain has championed photography as a medium that informs, inspires, and helps shape public opinion. In an age of overwhelming ecological danger, photography has become one of the most powerful tools in the conservationist’s arsenal. From documenting environmental collapse to stirring empathy for endangered species, a single photograph can translate the most complex scientific realities into immediate emotional truths. Photographs transcend language barriers to resonate with and impact a global audience. At its most effective, environmental and conservation photography doesn’t just bear witness—it galvanises action. Through its awards, publications, and bursaries, the Royal Photographic Society recognises, honours, and supports the globally important work of photographers who are causing the world to take notice and take action.”