– Mohammed Atherulla Shariff
Udupi, June 16: Haarish Mohammed, a wildlife photographer from Udupi, a coastal town in Karnataka, now living in Saudi Arabia, has won the international photography competition organized by 35 Awards in the Black and White category. This contest saw a remarkable participation of 465,000 photographs submitted by 111,253 photographers from 174 countries.
This award-winning photograph of a solitary heron was captured during an evening safari in the lush forests of Kabini, Karnataka.
One day, when herds of elephants were waiting for water on the road, this elephant emerged from the middle of the dark forest and was caught on camera.
Haarish’s achievements include being featured in BBC Earth, the international online magazine Paws Trails, and Nature In Focus. He secured third place in the 2020, 2021, and 2023 photography competitions held by Pilikula Biological Park in Mangalore.
Haarish’s work was also accepted for the International Wildlife Photo Exhibition held by Alvas Virasat in 2023. Additionally, he won a certificate of merit in the National Level Photography Contest conducted by the Karnataka Forest Department in 2023. His most recent accolade is the first place in the 2023 international photography competition conducted by 35 Awards in the Black and White category.
“Wildlife photography is like a window into the world of animals. It helps us understand and appreciate them better by capturing their beauty and diversity. Moreover, wildlife photography raises awareness about the importance of protecting wildlife and their habitats. By showcasing the wonders of nature, it encourages us to take care of it. When we see how amazing animals are, we’re more likely to want to save them,” says Haarish.
Harish Mohammed, son of Shamima Abubakar and Mohammed Moodabidre of Udupi, said, “I respect all my achievements and awards equally in photography but this victory of first place in an international photography competition really humbles me.”
