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Larry Louie
Canada
1st Place - Outstanding Achievement
"Toxic Waters"
In January 2010, Bangladesh began trying to clean up one of the dirtiest rivers in the world, the Buriganga. It only took one generation to turn what was once a thriving river with drinkable water into a river that is so toxic that no fish can survive in there.
Buriganga has become the toxic lifeline of Dhaka . The dying river is the most polluted river in Bangladesh due to rampant dumping of industrial and human waste. It is the main outlet of sewage waste and has become a major health hazard as industries and people are all sharing the use of the river. Many of the urban poor need to use the river in their daily lives. They use this water to drink, gargle, brush their teeth and take baths. The fact is the poisonous water with major toxic elements from irritants to carcinogens are the cause of several types of skin disease and other health issues among the people who live along its banks.
Biography: International award winning photographer Dr. Larry Louie is an optometrist in Canada and also a travel & humanitarian documentary photographer. On his travels, he is exploring the lives of remote indigenous people, documenting social issues and ultimately seeking to adjust people's view of the world. Over the last couple of years, Larry has used his photography as a platform to highlight the work of different charities around the world. He hopes his photographs will be able to tell the stories and make a difference, and to reveal light that is found in the darkest of places.
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