World Environment Day commemorated at Taj Exotica, Goa
June 6, 2005

The Taj Exotica Goa celebrated World Environment Day on June 5, 2005, with a multi-pronged approach, involving active participation from its staff, guests and locals, including children and teachers.

Spearheaded by Israr Basha, the chief horticulturist, the day was celebrated through a series of clean-up operations, a demonstration on the hotel’s bioengineering process and tree-planting both on the beach as well as at the Verna Industrial Estate some distance away.

Flagged off by an inspiring speech by Helmut Meckelburg, general manager and area director — Goa, the assembly was divided into three groups, which headed off to undertake clean-up operations at the beach, the surrounding areas of the hotel, and the 2 km long approach road to the hotel.

They then gathered at the Lobster Shack, where they proceeded to plant 200 saplings — of casurina, pongamia, neem, pterocarpus varieties along the beachfront bordering the hotel, as well as at the Verna Industrial Estate, some 20 kms away.

The group then proceeded to the hotel’s bioengineering site where Basha proceeded to explain how the one-year-old project has been instrumental in turning the hotel’s biodegradable waste into compost. To wrap up the day’s activities, the hotel team then met with local fishermen for an educational discussion on endangered species of marine life.

Refreshments and snacks were served to all, arranged by the human resources team, and the staff were also served a “Green Theme” lunch in the cafetaria, appropriately decorated for the occasion.