The United Nations (UN) has declared 2010 to be the International Year of Biodiversity (IYB). It is a celebration of life on earth and of the value of biodiversity in our lives. We are all invited to take action in 2010 to safeguard the variety of life on earth.

The Environmental Policy and Planning Division of the Ministry of Housing and the Environment (MHE) is therefore calling for entrants into our “Biodiversity Through My Eyes”, Environmental Photographic Competition to showcase the diversity of life in and around this beautiful twin island Republic of Trinidad and Tobago.

Winning photographs will be displayed in the IYB Museum at the 10^th Meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP) in Nagoya, Japan, October 2010; as well as at the 66^th Session of the UN General Assembly, New York, September 2010, as part of the International Year of Biodiversity’s Activities.

Rules and Instructions      

1. The subject for the Photographic Competition 2010 is “Biodiversity Through My Eyes”. The theme is open to individual interpretation but entries must have the natural world at their heart. Photographs of animals in captivity (such as zoos) and family pets are not eligible.
2. Entries must be taken in the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago.
3. Entrants can submit one photo in colour or black and white. All entrants must submit high quality prints and negatives as appropriate.
4. Images may be digitally enhanced to remove spots or scratches, but not manipulated. Entrants can enhance the picture to make it brighter, clearer etc, but not manipulate the content. The MHE and the judges reserve the right to exclude any image they believe may have been excessively treated so as to alter its authenticity.
5. The competition is open to Trinidad and Tobago residents only. 
6. Photographs entered must be the original work of the entrant and entrants can be from any of the following categories: