Three Photographers Win Global Award Honoring Earth’s Rangelands

Nairobi, Kenya — May 4, 2026 — Three photographers from Chile, Myanmar, and Indonesia have been named winners of the Global Landscapes Forum (GLF) Photography Awards 2026, an international competition designed to highlight the beauty, ecological importance, and human dimensions of rangelands—the world’s vast grazing ecosystems.

Rangelands, which include grasslands, savannas, shrublands, deserts, and tundra, cover more than 54% of the Earth’s land surface and support the livelihoods of approximately 2 billion people worldwide. Despite their critical role in biodiversity, climate resilience, and food systems, these landscapes remain underrepresented in global conservation narratives. The GLF Photography Awards aim to change that by showcasing the stories and daily lives of the pastoralists and communities who steward these fragile ecosystems.

The Winners

The competition received nearly 600 submissions from photographers across Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Americas. From these, 35 photographs were shortlisted, and three winners were selected based on creativity, photographic quality, and their ability to capture the essence of rangelands and their stewards.

1st Prize: “Gold Rush” by Vivek Goyal (Chile)

Gold Rush, the winning image, was captured by Indian photographer Vivek Goyal in Torres del Paine National Park, one of Chile’s most iconic tourist destinations. The photograph features a gaucha (a female gaucho) on horseback shepherding a flock of sheep across the park’s grasslands, with Lago Sarmiento and snow-capped mountains serving as a dramatic backdrop.

Goyal’s image was taken spontaneously when his car was stopped by a flock of sheep crossing the road. He described the moment as a revelation: The gaucha, the vast herd spreading across the golden plains, the lake, the mountains, the dramatic Patagonian sky, and the beautiful afternoon light all came together in a single frame.

Goyal emphasized the importance of recognizing pastoralists as essential stewards of these landscapes: These landscapes are working rangelands, shaped and sustained by pastoral communities whose traditions stretch back generations. The photograph tells the story of a centuries-old pastoral tradition that is very much alive today.

2nd Prize: “The Golden Moment of the Plains” by Myo Minn Aung (Myanmar)

The second-place image, The Golden Moment of the Plains, was taken by Myo Minn Aung in Bagan, Myanmar. The photograph captures a serene moment at sunset as a herd of cattle returns home from grazing, passing beneath a lone tree.

Aung’s work reflects the quiet rhythm of rural life and the deep connection between people, livestock, and the natural environment. He stated: I took this photograph to document the authenticity of rural life and the deep connection between people, grazing lands, and the natural environment.

Bagan, once the capital of a vast empire, is primarily agricultural, with farming and grazing providing essential livelihoods despite the region’s low rainfall. Aung’s image highlights the resilience and harmony between humans, animals, and nature in these ecosystems.

Popular Vote: “The Herders of Thousands of Merak Village Cows” by Ahmad Wahyudi (Indonesia)

The public vote winner, The Herders of Thousands of Merak Village Cows, was captured by Ahmad Wahyudi in Merak, Indonesia, within Baluran National Park. The photograph shows a shepherd guiding a large herd of cattle toward the forest at dawn.

Wahyudi described the scene as spontaneous and candid: This moment was photographed spontaneously in the morning when the shepherd and his cows were walking toward the Baluran forest. It occurred in a very remote area, rarely seen by outsiders.

The image underscores the enduring traditions of pastoralism in Indonesia, where such practices continue largely unseen by the broader world.

Why Rangelands Matter

Rangelands play a crucial role in global biodiversity, climate regulation, and the livelihoods of millions. They are managed by pastoralist communities whose knowledge and practices have evolved over generations. Conservationists argue that recognizing and supporting these communities is essential for sustainable land stewardship.

Judge Victoria Wanjohi, a wildlife conservation scientist and filmmaker, highlighted the diversity of rangelands and their global significance: The photos were all seeking to tell a story of not just why we demand to protect rangelands, but how they are a livelihood that many communities across the world depend on.

The winning images, along with the 32 shortlisted photographs, are currently on exhibit online and will be showcased at GLF Africa 2026 in Nairobi, Kenya, where policymakers, researchers, and conservationists will gather to discuss the future of these vital ecosystems.

Looking Ahead

The GLF Photography Awards 2026 have brought global attention to the often-overlooked beauty and importance of rangelands. As the world continues to grapple with environmental challenges, these images serve as a reminder of the critical role that pastoralists and their landscapes play in our shared future.

For more information, visit the GLF Photography Awards 2026 and explore the winning images, and stories.