Over 2000 Visual Works Featured in The YKAN Photo Contest, Calling for Conservation and Environmental Protection

Over 2,000 photos from across Indonesia enlivened the annual photo contest organized by the nonprofit environmental organization Yayasan Konservasi Alam Nusantara (YKAN). The Competition, themed “Suara Alam Nusantara”, was held to raise awareness about nature conservation and the protection of Indonesia’s biodiversity. Alongside photos, the contest also included a video category with the same theme.

The winners were announced in conjunction with the celebration of World Wildlife Conservation Day. The competition brought together professional photographer Marrysa Tunjung Sari, actor and environmental activist Ramon Tungka, and musician Monita Tahalea as judges. In addition, senior wildlife photographer Riza Marlon served as a special curator, evaluating the works based on originality, strength of message, and visual depth.

“The entries were extraordinary. We had many discussions and debates to determine the winners. As judges, we looked not only at the visuals, but also at whether the photos could truly speak for nature and biodiversity,” said Marrysa at the award announcement on 4 December 2025 in Jakarta.

Ramon added that the message conveyed by the photos was a key aspect of the judging process. According to him, the judges attempted to interpret the story or message that the photographers intended to convey while capturing their moments.

“When a moment is successfully captured, what message does the photo bring? Does it make us reflect, reevaluate, or even inspire us to act better for the environment?” Ramon said.

The theme Voice of the Indonesian Wilderness was inspired by a soundscape album released by YKAN, available on platforms such as Spotify. The album features ten nature sound recordings from YKAN’s various conservation program areas.

“When we see a visual, it often evokes a certain feeling. As a musician, whenever I see an image of a forest or a tree, I instantly imagine its sound, as if there’s a song that fits the atmosphere,” Monita shared, reflecting on her first experience as a contest judge.

There are eight winners in the Voice of the Indonesian Wilderness Photo and Video Contest, representing categories such as Marine Landscapes (including underwater), Marine Creatures, Drone Landscapes, Non-Drone Landscapes, Wild Plants and Fungi, Wildlife, Birds, and Indigenous Peoples of Indonesia. For videos, two winners were chosen for the Landscape and Portrait categories. Additionally, one video received the TikTok Favorite award.

YKAN’s Communications Director, Priscilla Christin, stated that the submitted photos and videos not only captured the beauty and uniqueness of Indonesia’s nature and biodiversity but also conveyed the crucial message of protecting the nation’s natural wealth for future generations.

“There are many inspiring photos that evoke a sense of pride and showcase the richness of Indonesia's nature and culture. However, on the other hand, in reality, we still encounter practices that pose a risk to the environment itself,” he said.

Priscilla hopes that contests like this can inspire the public to recognize the value of our natural heritage and work together to preserve it. After sharing the voice of nature digitally, the visual expressions of photos and videos now complement the message that nature wishes to convey.

“Each photo and video is a call to action, so that future generations can continue to enjoy Indonesia’s biodiversity. Ultimately, protecting nature means protecting our lives, both now and in the future,” she concluded.