British Council & Natural History Museum bring wildlife wonders to India

The British Council and London's Natural History Museum (NHM) have joined forces to bring the prestigious Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition to India. The 60th edition of the renowned showcase, featuring award-winning photographs that capture the "beauty and fragility of the natural world," opened at the British Council on May 2 and will run until June 6, 2025.The exhibition's inauguration was marked by the presence of Rt Hon Lisa Nandy MP, UK Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, highlighting the significance of this cultural event.Alison Barrett MBE, country director India, British Council, emphasised the power of art in driving change, stating, “The Natural History Museum Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition is a testament to the power of art to inspire action. By hosting this showcase at the British Council, we aim to spark meaningful conversations about conservation and creativity, engaging young people we work with in the global movement to protect our planet’s biodiversity.”Dr Doug Gurr, director of the Natural History Museum, expressed his delight in bringing the exhibition to New Delhi, noting, “We’re delighted to present Wildlife Photographer of the Year in New Delhi, India, with a showcase of our category winning images. These are photographs that not only encourage further wildlife conservation efforts, but that spark the creation of real advocates for our planet on a global scale.”This collaboration, supported by the foreign, commonwealth & development office, aims to engage diverse audiences in India – from students to artists – in crucial discussions about sustainability and biodiversity. The British Council underscores its long-standing commitment to the arts as a tool for "fostering dialogue, creativity, and global collaboration."Beyond photographs, the month-long exhibition will feature a range of engaging activities, including a digital library wall, a curated book display, a children's drawing session on ‘Wildlife Conservation’, a creative writing competition for children in the British Council’s Summer School, a screening of Ashwika Kapur’s documentary ‘Catapults to Cameras’, and a panel discussion with representatives from the Natural History Museum and the British High Commission.