Launched at the Siddhartha Art Gallery last Sunday, Window to the Himalayas tells the story of the sacred Himalayan landscape through a variety of breathtaking images presented by the World Wildlife Fund.

Spanning three floors, the exhibition doesn't just focus on the raw beauty of the mountains, but offers audiences an informative visual experience that addresses the challenges faced by the delicate Himalayan ecosystem.

The exhibition opens with an introduction to life in the Himalayas with pictures that capture the beauty of the mountains, the types of flora and fauna unique to the Himalayan landscape and the people of the mountain whose religion, culture and lifestyle are intertwined with the land.

While the first and second floors feature both majestic and confronting images, the most unique aspect of the exhibition is found on the third floor, where photographs capture the way local people have come together with the WWF to save the land they both love and depend on.

The exhibit acts as a reminder that the mountains are more than just a tourist destination but home to people and wildlife that have been affected by climate change, over-grazing, tourism and poaching.

Pictures showing Mother's Groups burning waste left behind by pilgrims, communities embracing hydroelectricity and water-smart farming initiatives provide viewers with a stark realisation that the future of the Himalaya is dependent on the support of its local communities.

WWF Program Manager of the Sacred Himalayan Landscape, Roshan Serchan believes that awareness is one of the primary reasons an exhibit of this nature is important. He adds: "The idea of the exhibition is to show the uniqueness and importance of the Himalayan landscape."

Brittany Searle

'Window to the Himalayas' will be featured at the Siddhartha Art gallery until Sunday December 18. Schools are welcome.