Prestigious US environment award for IAS officer

New Delhi, May 1 (UNI) For the first time an Indian Administrative Service(IAS) officer has won the prestigious Ozone Protection Award of the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA).

The award, for 2007, has gone to Mr Atul Bagai, a 1983 batch IAS officer of the Uttar Pradesh cadre.

He was presented with the award in Washington today.

The citation praised the,''leadership and innovation of Mr Bagai, who is presently working as Regional Network Coordinator, Compliance Assistance Programme of the United Nations Environment Programme in the Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific which has benefited well over 38 countries of the region through its unique regional network of National Ozone Units.'' Mr Bagai has served as the national Ozone Officer between 1998-2000. During his term, he handled significant strategy and policy issues, helping in the country's Ozone Depleting Substances(ODSs) phase out startegy and compliance with the Montreal Protocol.'' In his letter of appreciation, the Executive Director, Division of Technology Industry and Economics(DTIE) UNEP Achim Steiner said that he had made a mark for his innorvative nature of networking activities which played a significant role in helping countries achieve their compliance targets.

UNI