Munem Wasif, one of the photographers shortlisted for the annual Prix Pictet, the world's leading photographic award in sustainability, has been commissioned to document the progress of WaterAid's Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) Project in Bangladesh.

Pictet & Cie, which awards the prize, is supporting the CHT project to bring clean, safe water to village communities in Bangladesh.

Munem Wasif was one of the 18 photographers shortlisted for the prize. The commission was awarded because Wasif was judged to be the candidate 'most capable of communicating how crucially important sustainability projects such as this one in Bangladesh are to the lives of people around the world.'

Photographer Malcolm Hutcheson was also shortlisted for his series on the problem of wastewater in Lahore, Pakistan. Ninety per cent of Lahore’s sewage pours untreated into the local aquatic environment, mainly into the Ravi River which lies on the edge of the city. Hutcheson’s photographs show the people who have to work with wastewater, either maintaining the system or making money from using it.

Web sites:Prix Pictet; Munem Wasif; Malcolm Hutcheson ; WaterAid Bangladesh

Source: Prix Pictet, News Room, 31 Oct 2008

Tags: information and communication, sewerage, south asia, water supply