Sanctuary-ABN AMRO wildlife photography award 2007 declared

Mumbai, Dec 8 (UNI) A rare photograph of a male Ward's Trogon in flight shot by Sachin Rai, in Arunachal Pradesh won the Sanctuary-ABN AMRO Wildlife Photography 2007 award here.

Sachin's photograph of ''Locked Hornbills'' - two hornbills trying to establish their dominance in mid-air shared the second prize with Sandeep Desai's '' Blackbuck Ballet'' - three blackbucks antilopes in the air during their sprint run. The third prize was won by Jayanth Sharma's ''Force of Nature'' which depicted a charging elephant on the banks of river Kabini.

The NCPA theatre where the award ceremony was held yesterday, was packed with nature and animal lovers - young and old, who were ably entertained by the evening's MC, actor Tom Alter and editor of Sanctuary magazine Bittu Sahgal.

Mr Sahgal tongue in cheek observed how children and the young were well aware of the importance of preserving the environment, but adults always failed to understand it.

The ceremony also honoured 11 ''Earth Heroes'' from all over the country who had contributed to the conservation and preservation of wildlife and the environment.

The other highlight of the evening was the performce by the ''Huli Vaisha'' dance troup from Mangala Devi Temple.

ABN-AMRO donated Rs 1.15 crore to the Nature, Environment&Wildlife Society (NEWS) for its efforts in the preservation and conservation of the Sunderbans.

UNI