The Taj West End awarded prestigious National Tourism Award for Best Eco-Friendly hotel in the country
March 1, 2008

The union government has conferred the award in recognition of initiatives taken by the Taj West End in its committed to protect, conserve, and restore the natural environment

The Taj West End has been selected by the centre for the prestigious National Tourism Award for its outstanding efforts in promoting eco friendly initiatives. The award was received by PK Mohankumar, area director and general manager, Taj West End, at a glittering ceremony held in Delhi. External Affairs minister Pranab Mukherjee gave away the awards and minister of Tourism and Culture Ambika Soni presided over the function.

The title of "Best Eco-Friendly hotel" is awarded to the hotel that is the most consistent in maintaining and implementing the best environment practices in the hotel and is presented on the basis of energy and water conservation, waste management, and control methods for air, water and light as well as sewer treatment.

The award proves the success of the vision at the Taj West End to integrate environment management in all its business areas as a part of EARTH (environment awareness and renewal at Taj Hotels), EARTH is a company-wide movement to reinstate its vision and efforts on environment management in all its hotels.

Some of the efforts in conserving the environment are towards recycling and waste management in the use of many innovative practices to reduce the quantities of waste generated and energy used, and energy conservation efforts where the hotel has sought to bring down per guest energy use.

Key initiatives

• Solar water heating systems in the Taj West End, Bangalore, have saved over 51,000 litres of fuel over the last three years.
  
• Used cooking oil is given to Indian Railways for recycling and conversion of bio-diesel.
  
• Good quality old bed sheet material is used to make linen bags, cotton napkins, etc. Donations of linen and tapestry are made to charity homes and other voluntary organisations based on their need.
  
• Natural organic way of landscape upkeep using only organic-based farmyard manure and organic concentrates.
  
• Bio-degradable garden waste reused for plantation as a mulch which will assist in water holding, enhancing soil micro flora / nutrients.
  
• Water harvesting: Rain water collected through percolated chambers and filters created at root zones of plantation. Raising of ground water and aeration to root zone.
  
• Use of organic concentrates like neem oil cake, tobacco and parthinium leaf extract, etc for foliar spray to prevent pest incidents - instead of harmful chemical spray this will help building the resistance of the plants from pest. It also eliminates ground water contamination.
  
• Use of sewage treatment plant water for irrigation and cooling tower makeup.
• Heritage tree preservation: Transplantation of Trees, under trees and Shrubs to preserve environment and age-old heritage trees is a regular practice at Taj West End and extended its expertise to the Bangalore Municipal Corporation to save and replant age-old trees across the city.

A 50-year-old tree:

• Generates Rs5.3 lakh worth of oxygen
  
• Contributes Rs6.5 lakh by way of soil fertility and erosion control
  
• Provides Rs10.5 lakh worth of air pollution control service
  
• Provides shelter worth of Rs5.3 lakh to birds and animals
  
• Provides flowers, fruits and wood
  
  (Source: Bangalore Environment Trust)

The pride of Taj West End is its gardens spread over 20 acres of breathtaking landscaping that includes over 125 trees an average age of 90 years, 300 varieties of shrubs, a carefully cultivated natural bio-system that a lot birds flock to warm nesting, and an intricate method to planting and layering trees that results in a temperature drop of 2-3 degrees within.

Receiving the award Mohan Kumar commented: "We are absolutely delighted and proud to receive this award; this shows our commitment to preserving the environment by including the principles of being environmentally friendly, modern and having sustainable management."