Social and Ecological Guidelines

1. Social and Ecological Guidelines George

2. Energy Management • Eco properties must be designed and constructed keeping in mind maximum energy conservation like large windows for good ventilation and natural light. • Minimum lighting must be used in the property. • Roof integrated solar heated hot water panels in areas with good sunlight for running hot water supported by gas heaters running on recovered methane gas generated in the bio-methanation plant (Gobar Gas etc.)

3. Contd.. • Diverted hot water/heat transfer designs for cold regions using wood burning / Bagasse stoves fitted with convection looped water heaters. • No air-conditioners, use Ambiators as cooling system that does not use CFC or compressors saving up-to 60% less power. • Use of tree shade for convection cooling. In summer wet mats made of Vetiver (Khus) grass can be hung on the windows to considerable reduce the heat and at the same time a gentle pleasant scent of the khus will create a soothing environment.

4. Contd.. • Insulated cool rooms for fresh produce storage, ice boxes and insulated coolers to store or transport perishable food if ice factories in the vicinity. • Use of new generation Light Emitting Diode (LED) or Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFL) / Fluorescent Tubes. • Use of inverter to store power generated by alternative means like solar, wind, water and others.

5. Benefit Sharing • Locals should be employed and more women should be employed • Child labour should not be employed in any of the activities • A part of the revenue earned should be diverted to support rural development activities by way of a conservation fund • Outsourcing should develop new entrepreneurs providing services like trekking, authentic meals, guides, bird watching guides etc.

6. Environment conservation • Plant endemic trees and shrubs in the campus for climate control and clean air • Cleaner fuel for cooking solar cookers, LPG, bio-gas or electricity • Do not allow loud music in an around the accommodation site • Identify areas of soil erosion – potential and existing, plant shrubs, plants and grass to minimize erosion. Plant hillsides and banks with deep-rooted plants like vetiver (khus) to avoid soil erosion.

7. Contd.. • Rain water harvesting to collect, store and conserve water. • Keep no caged animal, bird, reptile or insect. • Clean pollutants and garbage from trek routes, beaches and rivers periodically and involve active guest participation. • Environmental training to staff to understand and keep updated on different eco-friendly practices. • Ensure safe disposal techniques for toxic products like batteries, cell phones etc. by recycling them.

8. Waste Management • Waste water from kitchen, bathrooms, sewage should be used for watering plants which can stand high alkali content. • All organic waste and night soil can be utilized for the process of Gobar Gas Plant and transformed into bio gas, which is then used to heat water\ lighting. • Waste out of gobar gas can be used to make fertilizer feed. • Kitchen or toilet waste can be diverted to soak pits made for the purpose

9. Contd… • Make the campus and area around as plastic free zone • At the time of disposal organic waste should be separated from inorganic waste. Organic waste must be used in ‘Vermiculture’ or Rapid Organic Compound and Non-organic waste must be sold to scrap merchants or carried back to place where recycling is possible • No disposable items such as plastic cutlery, tissue paper or paper plates should be used