Indian cricketer Sachin Tendulkar has been named the Goodwill Ambassador of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).

The appointment announced by UNEP Executive Director Achim Steiner in Mumbai will enable Tendulkar to use his popularity to raise public awareness and harness support for environmental action in India and the world.

"It is the appointment of UNEP's goodwill ambassador for the environment of a person who perhaps in the history of cricket stands out as unique, who is revered by millions of people across the world, who in his personality has humbleness in his character represents everything that the IPL has declared it strives for and perhaps in each one of us we wish we live up to," Steiner said.

Tendulkar, who would be the second Indian after Mother Teresa to become UN ambassador, said he will be happy if he is able to contribute even a fraction of what she has done.

"I must say I have got very big shoes to fit. I don't know whether I will be able to contribute even a fraction of what she has been able to but if I can make everyone and understand a ittle bit, its just those small changes in life, day to day life, you don't have to change your lifestyle, small changes in life if you can do that it will really help us save the planet," Tendulkar said. (ANI)