The Indian environmental activist, Mr. Mahesh Chander Mehta, today won this year's prestigious Ramon Magsaysay prize for his staunch efforts to protect the Country's environment, the award Foundation announced in Manila.

    "Mr. Mehta has been selected for the award, one of the top political and diplomatic prizes given in Asia, for public service for his claiming for India's present and future citizens their constitutionals right to a clean and healthy environment," the Foundation said in a statement.

    He will receive the award, given in five categories with a cash prize of $50,000 each, on August 31 in Manila.

    A leading Supreme Court lawyer, Mr. Mehta, has been cited for his environmental conservation campaigns through the Indian courts and his contribution to the enactment of laws punishing polluters.

    Other Indian recipients of the award, named after a former Philippine President, in the past included the former Chief Election Commissioner Mr. T.N. Seshan, senior police officer Ms. Kiran Bedi, Swadhyay movement leader Mr. Pandurang Shastri Athavale, environmentalist Ms. Vandana Shiva, coloumnist and writer Arun Shourie, gynaecologist Dr. Bannocoyaji and film director Satyajit Ray.

    The foundation noted the crusading environmentalist's staunch efforts which began in 1984, when he campaigned for the preservation of the Taj Mahal which was being affected by effluents from nearby industries.

    "For more than 10 years, he pursued the case," the citation to Mr. Mehta read. The Supreme Court responded to his efforts by banning coal-based industries around the world famous monument and ordering installation of effluent treatment devices.