Bishop to serve on green award jury

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has nominated Bishop Mathew Arackal of Kanjirapally in Kerala, to sit on the jury that selects the national award winners for environmental protection. This would mark the first time a prelate has served on the seven-member jury – headed by the vice-president of India – for the Indira Gandhi environmental award. The award is named after former prime minister Indira Gandhi, who was assassinated in 1984.

 Introduced by the federal environment ministry, the award is given to two organizations and three individuals who the jury considers to have carried out outstanding work in environmental protection or promoting eco-friendly living. Bishop Arackal says the nomination is recognition for the Church in India. “Protecting the environment is a major challenge for all, cutting across religions. Our diocese and Church have introduced several initiatives to educate people about the need for eco-friendly living and organic farming,” the prelate said yesterday.

 – UCAN