Orangutan takes first place in Indonesian photo contest

29 August 2017 Forests in photos

Indonesia’s forests are diverse and beautiful, with their own distinctive features and charms. Photographers from across the country highlighted these stunning forests through the photo contest ‘Explore Indonesia Forest with IFCC’.

“We received more than 200 photos within two weeks of launching the photo contest. As this was the first national photo contest held by IFCC, this was very marvelous moment,” said Zulfandi Lubis, Executive Director of IFCC, the PEFC member for Indonesia.

“By the end of the contest we had received 1,500 beautiful moments captured by fantastic Indonesian photographers! The judges had to work hard to select just five winning photos out of such an amazing selection,” Mr. Lubis concluded.

The winners

In first place was Yohan Roy Gratia with the stunning ‘Our home’. This photo captures a moment of an orangutan’s life in Gunung Leuser National Park in Northern Sumatra, Indonesia.

“We need to protect and preserve Indonesia's diversity and wealth,” highlighted Mr. Gratia.

Dika Yudha Rio Pamungkas came in second with ‘The life is beautiful’. Taken in Karanganyar Regency in Central Java, the photo shows a family enjoying the beauty of the Jumog Waterfall.

“This photo teaches us how to simply enjoy the day and feel grateful of life and nature. Life was so beautiful as the moment I captured this photo,” said Mr. Pamungkas.

In third was ‘The harmonious co-existence between Waerebo native and the forest’ by Suwandi Chandra.

The photo captures an aerial view of a traditional Waerebo village located in deep inside the forests of Flores Island, in the southernmost province of Indonesia. There, many locals still live as they have done for centuries, depending on the forests for their livelihoods.

‘Bird Migration’ by Mushaful Imam was awarded fourth prize. Taken in the South Sumatra, it shows a bird migration over the top of a mangrove forest.

Completing the top five images was ‘Water Bombing’ by Sapto Nugroho, taken in the Suligi Hill Forest of Riau Province.

Water bombing is a type of aerial firefighting, with firefighters using helicopter to combat wildfires. Helicopter water bombing is also performed for land maintenance, especially during dry season.