Jat Regiment's battalion gets environment award

A Battalion of Jat Regiment -- a prestigious contingent of the Indian Army -- was today recognised by the government for its outstanding contribution in protecting environment.
The Indira Gandhi Paryavaran Puraskar - 2010 (Organisation Category) was awarded to 21st Battalion, the Jat Regiment, in recognition of its outstanding contribution to environmental conservation, afforestation and awareness in various districts of Assam, particularly in deforested and flood-affected areas of Dhubri district.
Environment Minister M Veerappa Moily conferred the award at a function here. He gave two awards under organisation category and three under individual category.
Under its 'Go Green' Mission, 300 soldiers of the regiment planted 4,47,874 tree saplings in an area of 140 hectares at Dhubri area in a span of 24 hours in 2009.

The Joygopalpur Gram Vikas Kendra, set up by some youths of Joygopalpur village in Basanti Island of South Sunderbans, was awarded in recognition of its contribution to environmental protection and regeneration.
In the individual category, Anil Sharma, Director of 'SATHI', an NGO working towards environmental upgradation of the Ghinni-Ghad region of Himachal Pradesh's Sirmour district, was honoured with the prize.

New Delhi-based Kartick Satyanarayanan, co-founder and Chairperson of NGO 'Wildlife SOS India', was conferred the Puraskar in recognition of his outstanding contribution to wildlife protection, awareness and environmental conservation.
N Ramesh, an Engineer in Puducherry Pollution Control Committee, was awarded in recognition of his contribution to environmental protection and awareness.

Along with the cash prize, the awardees were given a Silver Lotus Trophy, a scroll and a citation. The awardees were selected by a seven-member Environmental Prize Committee headed by the country's Vice President from among a total of 97 nominations received by the Ministry.