Sulabh founder receives Indira Gandhi Paryavaran Puraskar

New Delhi, June 5 (UNI) Noted social worker Bindeshwar Pathak, who pioneered the sanitation movement in India, was conferred upon Indira Gandhi Paryavaran Puraskar-- the highest award in the field of environment -- on the occasion of World Environment Day here today.

External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee presented the award to Dr Pathak, which comprises a cash component of Rs Five lakh, a citation and a memento, at an impressive function organised by the Environment and Forests Ministry.

Dr Pathak, who recently received an award at the European Parliament for providing low-cost sanitation in India, received the award under individual category for the year 2003.

A Padma Bhushan recipient, he was chosen for the honour for his contribution in the field of environment.

Dr Pathak is known for his low-cost toilet technology, he designed over three decades ago and which is now becoming a byword for sanitation in the developing countries.

Indira Gandhi Paryavaran Puraskar is given to the pioneers who come out with ideas and projects that can reduce pollution and are environment friendly.

Dr Pathak had earlier received the Dubai International Award for Best Practices besides receiving several other awards at the national and international levels.

The UNDP, in its latest Human Development Report, had appreciated Sulabh founder's initiatives in bringing about a change.

''Sulabh has emerged as one of the world's largest non-governmental providers of sanitation facilities,'' the report said.

President APJ Abdul Kalam, in his latest book, Mission India, has also mentioned the contribution of Dr Pathak in the field of sanitation and liberation of scavengers.

A distinctive feature of Dr Pathak's project lies in the fact that besides producing odour-free biogas, it also releases clean water rich in phosphorous and other ingredients, which are important constituents of organic manure.

Ministers of State for Environment and Forests. S Regupathy and Namo Narayan Meena were also present at the function.

UNI