AIMS organises seminar on Sustainable Eco Initiatives

EH Staff - Bangalore

The Acharya Institute of Management and Sciences, Bangalore, organised a two-day seminar on Sustainable Eco Initiatives in Tourism and Hospitality.

Niranjan Khatri, general manager, ITC Environmental Initiatives, Gurgaon, presented his paper on the topic Eco Design of Hotels. Khatri spoke on the changes in water stress due to climatic changes in countries using more than 20 per cent of their potential water resources. The paper on Eco Green Housekeeping was presented by Bhavana Alvares, executive housekeeper, Taj Westend, Bangalore. Alvares spoke on the effects of indoor air pollution and how it affects health. She also spoke on the steps taken by Taj Westend, Bangalore towards pest control.

Dr Nandhini, chairperson, Department of Environmental Sciences, Bangalore University, spoke on the Role of Government and NGOs in Eco Tourism with an overview of improving nature conservation and providing opportunity for local people. Professor Madhava, principal, IHMCT&AN, Hyderabad presented his paper on the topic Role of Energy Conservation and Water Resources Management. He enlightened the audience about eco-friendly practices in energy and water conservation, waste management and other desirable measures to be observed by hospitality industry. Environmental Initiation by Hotels was presented by Ranjan Gupta, general manager The Orchid, Mumbai. The Orchid is Asia's first ecotel also certified as ISO 14001 in the year 2001 that has won 53 environmental national and international awards. He spoke about The Orchid's environmental challenge and how the ecotel is constantly finding new ways of continually creating more wealth with fever resources, less raw material, less energy, less waste and less pollution.

Role of Hotels in Waste Management was presented by Rohit Mallick, regional manager (south), Learning Service, ITC the Windsor, Bangalore. Mallick explained that guests of the hotel enquire about environmental efforts and are eco-concerned. Professor G M Bhuvan, principal, Apeejay Institute of Hospitality Management, Mumbai, presented the topic Responsible Eco Tourism. Bhuvan spoke on preserving and sustaining the world's natural and cultural environment and enlightened the audience on the principles of eco tourism.

Role of Chefs in Ecotel was presented by Chef Rakesh Updahyaya, executive chef of The Oberoi, Bangalore. Chef Upadhyaya reiterated that for a modern chef, forecasting and planning is the key factor in business. Role of Educational Institutions in Promoting Eco Initiatives presented by Dr Abdul Rehman, former vice chancellor, Kannur & Calicut University. Dr Rehman stated that environmental studies should commence from the pre-school level.

Architectural and Building Design of Hotels presented by S Sadakshari, chairman and managing director of The Ramanashree group of hotels. Sadakshari, explained the key factors involved in project cost of a hotel and the running cost of a hotel. He stressed on the benefits of using natural material and updated the audience on the latest trends of eco technology in terms of usage of sensors for light and electronic sensors for water. Rajesh Nair, director, The Harbour Market, Bangalore presented a paper on Role of Financial Institutions in Promoting Eco Initiatives in Tourism & Hospitality. Nair spoke on environmental sustainable project financing and its impact. He urged the tourism supply chain to follow eco-friendly practices. He indicated that green rating will also form a part of assessment to award star status to an hotel on eco norms for rating by HRACC (Hotel Restaurant Approval ClassificationCommittee).