ISTANA NEGARA, Jakarta ~ Bali’s capital Denpasar, its regency Badung, and the regencies of Gianyar and Tabanan were awarded on Wednesday Indonesia’s most prestigious environmental award, the Adipura.

It was the fifth consecutive year that Badung – the southern regency that is home to most of the island’s tourism industry – has been awarded the top prize.

At a ceremony at the Presidential Palace attended by governors, regents and mayors from all over Indonesia on Wednesday, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono handed out the coveted trophies to Balinese officials including Badung Regent A.A. Gede Agung.

Said the deputy major of Denpasar, I.B. Rai Darmawijaya Mantra: “This is the result of the hard work of all elements of society in Denpasar.”