ECOTOURISM CERTIFICATION

ACCREDITATION OF LODGES AND RESORTS AROUND

ECOTOURISM DESTINATIONS

Contents

Executive Summary ...................................................................................................... 1

Acknowledgement...........................................................................................................
List of Acronyms ........................................................................................................... 2
List of Tables ............................................................................................................. 3
List of Figures ............................................................................................................... 4
CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION ...................................................................................... 5
1.1

Host Organization .............................................................................................. 5

1.1.1

Introduction.................................................................................................. 5

1.1.2

Vision........................................................................................................... 5

1.1.3

Mission ........................................................................................................ 5

1.1.4

Objectives.................................................................................................... 5

1.1.5

Project Background at Host Organization.................................................... 6

1.1.6

Project/Problems Definition ......................................................................... 6

1.1.7

Objective of the Project to the Organization ................................................ 6

CHAPTER 2: ECOTOURISM ......................................................................................... 7

2.1

Ecotourism ......................................................................................................... 7

2.1.1

Activities Focused in Ecotourism ................................................................. 7

2.1.2

Ecotourism Destination Features................................................................. 8

2.1.3

Problems in Ecotourism Industry ................................................................. 8

CHAPTER 3: LITERATURE REVIEW ............................................................................ 9

3.1

Present System.................................................................................................. 9

3.1.1

Systems for Tourism.................................................................................... 9

3.1.2

Systems for Ecotourism............................................................................. 11

3.2

Difference between existing accreditation system and Eco-rating System

11

CHAPTER 4: ECO-RATING PROPOSAL ................................................................... 13

4.1

Eco-rating Proposal for Government................................................................ 13

4.1.1

Need and Scope of the Project.................................................................. 13

4.1.2

Ecological benefits of the project ............................................................... 13

ii

4.1.3
4.2

Economical benefits of the project............................................................. 14

Eco-rating Proposal for Hospitality Industry ..................................................... 15

4.2.1

Principles and Structures........................................................................... 15

CHAPTER 5: PROJECT METHODOLOGY ................................................................. 16

5.1

Multi-consultation approach in developing standards and norms..................... 16

5.2 Phase one Identification of best eco-friendly practices in Lodges and resorts
Industry ...................................................................................................................... 16
5.3

Phase two Suggestions and Addition............................................................ 19

5.4

Phase Three Evolvement of Specification, Standards and Norms ................ 23

5.4.1

Principles ................................................................................................... 23

5.4.2

Criteria and Indicators ............................................................................... 24

5.4.3

Benchmarking and Threshold Value.......................................................... 29

5.4.4

Standards and Norms................................................................................ 29

5.4:

Phase Four Development of Eco-rating System ........................................... 30

5.4.1

A weighed scoring system ......................................................................... 31

5.4.2

Eco-Rating Ranges ................................................................................... 34

CHAPTER 6: PILOT TESTING.............................................................................. 36

6.1

Objectives of Pilot Testing ............................................................................ 36

6.1

Pilot testing team and methodology adopted ................................................ 36

6.2

Observations and Findings ........................................................................... 36

6.3

Results.......................................................................................................... 37

Chapter 7: Summary and Conclusions ..................................................................... 38

Bibliography ................................................................................................................ 40
APPENDICES ............................................................................................................... 41
Appendix 1: GLOSSARY ........................................................................................... 41
Appendix 2: Eco-rating System.................................................................................. 44
Appendix 3: Questionnaire for Weighted Score ......................................................... 55
Appendix 4: Questionnaire for Collection of Best Eco Friendly Practices in Lodges and
resorts Industry .......................................................................................................... 57

iii

Executive Summary

With the rapid increase in ecotourism industry, it is being observed that ecotourism is
leaving negative impacts on natural resources and the ecosystem of the ecotourism
destination. Also due to the increase in environmental awareness ecotourist are paying
greater attention towards protecting the environment and safeguarding human beings
health. All countries and regions have enacted corresponding laws and statutes and
established various policies and measures. Many organizations set environmental
business norms to promote environmental protection. Thus, all organizations take into
consideration how their operations, products and services affect the environment.
The ecotourism destination development depends on the situation of the local
environment. As a mainstay of the ecotourism industry, the lodges and resorts industry is
trying to protect the environment and make reasonable use of resources. This is directly
correlated to the development of the ecotourism industry and also affects sustainable
development in society. Therefore, this project has been developed with aim of
developing norms for accreditation of lodges and resorts for ecotourism and also to
provide opportunities to lodges and resorts to improve their operational activities.
The Eco-rating for lodges and resorts that are at ecotourism destinations is a new notion,
which requires lodges and resorts to include objectives of ecotourism as part of lodges
and resorts management in general. Taking the objectives of ecotourism as the
principles, it is necessary for lodges and resorts operators to adjust their mindsets,
development strategies, management modes and service, to provide eco friendly
services to the guests with the involvement if local communities, while conserving
environment and generating conservation & nature education.
The Eco-rating System is a kind of guidelines or system for lodges and resorts operators
to achieve their environmental goals and objectives. In order to guide present practice,
an eco friendly lodges and resorts is define by the criteria like lodges and resorts with
the concept of sustainable development, which insist and encourage green
consumerism, protect the environment and make reasonable use of resources. Its aim is
to strengthen protection of the environment and the sustainable use of resources. But
when a lodges and resorts is located at ecotourism destination, the concept behind an
eco-friendly lodges and resorts should differ, because both the characteristic of the
guests and objectives of tourism become different in ecotourism.
The Eco-rating System has been developed by taking ecotourism objectives, principles
and vision. The system not only checks the environmental performance but also other
principles of ecotourism and sustainable management practices of the lodges and
resorts.

List of Acronyms

ACF

Assistant Conservator of Forest

CCF

Chief Conservator of Forest

CF

Conservator of Forest

DFO

Divisional Field Officer

HVAC

Heating Ventilation Air Conditioning

IFS

Indian Forest Services

IIFM

Indian Institute of Forest Management

MPEDB

Madhya Pradesh Ecotourism Development Board

SDO

Sub Divisional Officer

TIES

The International Ecotourism Society

JFM

Joint Forest Management

List of Tables

Table 1: List of the referred accreditation systems ......................................................... 12

Table 2: List of the referred accreditation systems ......................................................... 19
Table 3: List of the referred case studies in hospitality industries: ................................. 19
Table 4: The eco ratings................................................................................................. 35
Table 5: Objectives Achieve........................................................................................... 37

List of Figures

Figure 1: Eco-rating System & Four Principles.............................................................. 24

Figure 2: Community Participation Criteria and Indicators ......................................... 26
Figure 3: Environment Conservation Criteria and Indicators....25
Figure 4: Conservation/Nature Education Criteria and Indicators...26
Figure 5: Ecological Orientation Criteria and Indicators....26
Figure 6: Eco-rating System Framework....28
Figure 7: Weights for Criteria of Community Participation ..30
Figure 8: Weights for Criteria of Environment Conservation ..30
Figure 9: Weights for Criteria of Conservation/Nature Education ..31
Figure 10: Weights for Criteria of Ecological Orientation .31
Figure 11: Weights of Principles ..32

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION

1.1 Organization
Madhya Pradesh Ecotourism Development Board
Urja Bhawan, Link Road No.2
Shivaji Nagar, Bhopal, M.P.
Phone: 0755-2768798, Fax- 2768805
Email- mpecotourism@gmail.com

1.1.1 Introduction
Madhya Pradesh Ecotourism Development Board is an autonomous organization of
Madhya Pradesh Forest Department. It was constituted with a view to conserve natural
resources through ecotourism and with a mission to achieve sustainable forest
management through ecotourism on 12.07.2005. The board has been registered under
Society Registration Act, 1973. The current president of MPEDB is the Hon'ble Forest
Minister of MP state Shri Sartaj Singh. The MPEDB consists of a General Body and
Executive Committee.

1.1.2 Vision
Ecotourism becomes a means of nature resource conservation.

1.1.3 Mission
Mainstreaming ecotourism in sustainable forest management

1.1.4 Objectives

to facilitate the policy environment to institutionalize ecotourism;

to raise awareness on nature conservation;
to spread messages on the best practices of ecotourism;
to popularize the concept of ecotourism through print and electronic media;
to identify the ecotourism destination in state;
to develop infrastructure facilities for ecotourist;
to build the capacity of local community members as key stakeholders in
ecotourism; and
To coordinate with other Government and Non-Government Stakeholders in
ecotourism.

1.1.5 ProjectBackgroundatHostOrganization
The Ecotourism industry keeps growing. It has become one of the fastest growing
sectors of tourism industry, growing annually by 10-15% worldwide (Miller 2007).
Worldwide ecotourist arrivals have increased in India especially in Madhya Pradesh due
to its natural beauty, world heritage sites, historical & cultural heritage, national parks,
nature reserves, fairs & festivals etc. However, this growth comes with more need of
accommodation for ecotourist. To meet this need in sustainable manner MPEDB took an
initiative of developing norms for accreditation of lodges and resorts for ecotourism so
that it would be possible for a governmental agency to rate on a scale the lodges and
resorts involved in the business of catering to the needs of tourists at ecotourism
destinations according to their level of conformity to those standards.

1.1.6 Project/ProblemsDefinition
The project aims at developing norms for accreditation of lodges and resorts for
ecotourism. The project will be guided by the following Objectives:
Objectives:

to compile a list of lodges and resorts industry's best eco-friendly practices;

suggestions and additions to compiled list;
evolve specifications, standards and norms;
Develop a rating system.

1.1.7 ObjectiveoftheProjecttotheOrganization
To become authentic agency for granting Eco-rating to the lodges and resorts involved in
the business of catering to the needs of ecotourist at ecotourism destinations.

CHAPTER 2: ECOTOURISM

2.1 Ecotourism
Defining "Ecotourism" has proven to be a difficult task given all the different players
attempting to define it. People tend to define things in terms that are beneficial to
themselves, hence the variety of definitions. There are however several workable
definitions currently in wide use.
The International Ecotourism Society defines Ecotourism as: "responsible travel to
natural areas that conserves the environment and improves the welfare of local people".
(The International Ecotourism Society)
The Australian Commission on National Ecotourism Strategy defines Ecotourism as:
"nature-based tourism that involves education and interpretation of the natural
environment and is managed to be ecologically sustainable. (The International
Ecotourism Society)
The UN world tourism organization defines Ecotourism as: a form of tourism that is
practiced in relatively undisturbed natural areas, for the main purposes of admiring them
and learning more about habitat. (The International Ecotourism Society)
Oxford Dictionary defines Ecotourism as: "tourism directed towards unspoiled natural
environments and intended to support conservation efforts. (Oxford Dictionary)
One more definition of ecotourism is the practice of low-impact, educational, ecologically
and culturally sensitive travel that benefits local communities and host countries.
(Honey, 1999)
Based on the above definitions, Ecotourism can be defining as:

A tourism that orient tourist towards ecology with the help of local communities,
while conserving environment and generating environment education.
2.1.1 ActivitiesFocusedinEcotourism
Responsible Tourism;
Nature Conservation;
Conservation Awareness;

Responsible Garbage Disposal;

Promoting Non-Conventional Energy;
Adventure Tourism;
Rural Tourism;
Herbal Tourism;
Involving Local Stakeholders.

2.1.2 EcotourismDestinationFeatures

plenty of natural beauty;

optional resource use;
clean and hygienic arrangement;
recycling of organic waste;
use of compost;
no use of music or scent or noise;
plastic free zone;
litter free zone;
Non conventional energy resources, etc.

2.1.3 ProblemsinEcotourismIndustry
Environmental key aspects still play a minor role in the selection of a destination and
accommodations in ecotourism industry. Under the pressure of environmentalists and
the growing concern among the public on environmental questions, this situation is bond
to institutionalize some uniform evaluation system for the ecotourism sector activities.
Examples of problems:

Rapid increase in ecotourist arrival;

Rapid increase in lodges and resorts industry at ecotourism destination;
Adverse effects in local culture;
Negative impacts on local communities;
Rehabilitation of local communities;
Gross violations of fundamental rights;
Environmental hazards;
Decrease in the ground water level; etc.

CHAPTER 3: LITERATURE REVIEW

3.1 PresentSystem
Globally and at country level many accreditation systems have been developed and are
in functional for checking the environmental performance of the lodges and resorts
industry. Following systems has been referred during the project:

3.1.1 SystemsforTourism
Green Globe 21
The Green Globe 21 (GG21) scheme is an accreditation system aims at checking
sustainability of lodges and resorts industry. It was launched in 1994 by the World
Tourism and Travel Council (WTTC) and the International Lodges and resorts and
Restaurant Association (IH&RA) as a result of the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio. The Green
Globe 21 initiative is focused to improve the environmental performance of companies
which belong to travel and tourism sector. It has following four operational standards:

The GG21 Company Standard;

The GG21 Community Standard;
The GG21 International Ecotourism Standard; and
The GG21 Design and Construction Standard (GG21, 2005).

Criteria and Procedure of Green Globe 21

Green Globe 21 uses a series of earth check quantitative indicators to benchmark the
key aspects of environmental and social performance of tourism industry. The results of
indicators for a particular type, activity, market and location of an enterprise are
compared with benchmarking. These benchmarking values are developed for each
country based on the data published worldwide in industry surveys and audits, case
studies etc.
Green Globe Canada (GGC)
Green Globes Canada (GGC) was developed in Canada with the support of federal and
provincial ministries and public utilities, while GEM was developed in the UK by the RICS
Foundation and Faber Maun sell. The GGC/GEM UK is a self-assessment tool based on
BREEAM/Green Leaf. The system aims at helping building owners and managers to
monitor and assess their buildings performance.

Criteria and Procedure of Green Globe Canada

Green Globes Canada for Existing Buildings is available for two types of buildings:
Offices and Multi-Unit Residential Buildings (MURBs). The latter has been used to
evaluate the performance of lodges and resorts facilities. Building performance is
compared to facilities with similar properties based on bench marking process. The
assessment is performed on-line (www.greenglobes.com) for US $200 (CAN $250) per
building assessment (Green Globes Canada, 2005). This fee includes data input, there
are certain criteria which are judged and measure of that act as the indicator. These
indicators include the key environment aspects for e.g. presence of policy, water
management, solid waste production, resource conservation, energy consumption etc.
Green lodges and resorts guidelines
This is a system developed by the lodges and resorts association of Zhejiang province.
They work to provide guidance for constructing lodges and resorts in environmental
friendly nature. Their criteria are applicable to all the lodges and resortss in the world
whose owner thinks beyond style, size and monetary benefits.
The applicable criteria include the key aspects of environment water quality standard,
discharge of affluent, air quality management, sanitary standard, energy consumption
etc.
The basic principle of the system is to reduce extravagant usage, to promote recycling of
waste material and using substituted materials which is recyclable in nature.
IHEI benchmark lodges and resorts
It is a tool developed by International Lodges and resorts Environmental Initiative in
collaboration with WWF-United Kingdom. It is an internet based environmental tool. It
was launched in September 2001.
Criteria and Procedure of IHEI benchmark lodges and resorts
The scheme covers three sort of lodges and resorts (luxury full-service, mid-range full
service, and small and budget) located in three climate zones (Temperate,
Mediterranean and Tropical). The lodges and resorts with presumed characteristics are
judged to obtain results. Lodges and resorts performance in terms of resource
consumption is compared with that of similar lodges and resorts worldwide. The
assessment is performed online (www.benchmarklodges and resorts.com). It is one at
annual cost of US $210 (GBP120).
The assessment includes numerous criteria like lodges and resorts area, no. of guest
room, energy management, portable water consumption, waste minimization, green
purchasing and water quality management. (Paulina Bohdanowicz, 2005)

10

3.1.2 SystemsforEcotourism
As mentioned previously there are many accreditation system developed for tourism
industry but most of them have not been developed from the ecotourism perspective,
which should fulfill ecotourism definitions. Hence the need of the hour remains for
developing a system which is particularly applicable to ecotourism because tourism and
ecotourism differs in their characteristics and operations. Some facts below according to
the study conducted by TIES would ensure that ecotourism is thriving because of evergrowing concern of people towards environment.
Beginning in 1990s, ecotourism has been growing 20% - 34% per year.
In 2004, ecotourism/nature tourism was growing globally 3 times faster than the
tourism industry as a whole.
Nature tourism is growing at 10%-12% per annum in the international market.
United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) and Conservation International
have indicated that most of tourisms expansion is occurring in and around the
worlds remaining natural areas.
Sustainable tourism could grow to 25% of the worlds travel market within six
years, taking the value of the sector to 250 billion (US $ 473.6 billion) a year.
Analysts predict a growth in eco-resorts and lodges and resorts, and a boom in
nature tourism a sector already growing at 20% a year and suggest early
converts to sustainable tourism will make market gains.
More than two-thirds of U.S. and Australian travelers, and 90% of British tourists,
consider active protection of the environment and support of local communities to
be part of a lodges and resorts responsibility.
A survey of U.S., British, and Australian travelers revealed that 70% would pay up
to $150 more for a two-week stay in a lodges and resorts with a responsible
environmental attitude. (The International Ecotourism Society and Canopy
Development, 2006)
Based on the above facts, it is clear that there is a need for accreditation system for
lodges and resorts that are at ecotourism destinations. But there is no accreditation
system for lodges and resorts for ecotourism.

3.2DifferencebetweenexistingaccreditationsystemandEcorating
System
As mentioned above existing systems focus on the key issues of environment. For e.g.
water conservation, energy conservation, air quality and carbon emission etc. But Ecorating System focuses on four principles: Community participation, Environment
conservation, Conservation/Nature Education and Ecological orientation. These

11

principles not only cover the key issues of environment but also cover objectives of
ecotourism. This unique feature of Eco-rating System takes it to another stage of
sustainable practices in tourism industry. Following table compare Eco-rating System
with four other accreditation systems.
Table 1: Comparative analysis of accreditation systems
Green
Green
Green
Globe 21
Globes
Lodges and
Canada
resorts
Guidelines
Canada
International
Climatic zones Accounted
for by
temperature
calculation
All
All
All
Type of
lodges and
resorts
To some
Not
Not
Community
extend
considered considered
participation
Environment
conservation
Conservation
/Nature
Education
Ecological
Orientation
Periodical
reporting
Benchmarking

Cost

IHEI
benchmark
lodges and
resorts
Temperate,
Mediterranean
,
tropical
All

Not
considered

Considered
in
detail
To some
extend

Considered
in
detail
Not
considered

Considered
in
detail
Not
considered

Considered in
detail

Considered
in
detail
Annual

Considered
in
detail
Monthly for
12
months
Against
other
buildings in
the
database
Approximat
ely to Rs.
10,000

Considered
in
detail
N/A

Considered in
detail

N/A

Against other
lodges and
resorts in the
database and
literature data
Approximately
to Rs. 10,500

Against
country
baseline
and best
practice
Approximat
ely to Rs.
1,000
(guidelines
only)

N/A

Not
considered

Annual

12

Eco-rating
System

States by for
India (yet to
be develop)
Only for
Ecotourism
destination
Considered
in
detail
Considered
in
detail
Considered
in
detail
Considered
in
detail
Yet to be
decide
Against
country
baseline and
best
practice
Not Decided
yet

CHAPTER 4: ECO-RATING PROPOSAL

4.1 EcoratingProposalforGovernment
The Eco-rating system is a set of principles, criteria & indicators, norms and standards
developed by Madhya Pradesh Ecotourism Development Board to encourage excellence
in lodges and resorts industry at ecotourism destination. The Eco-rating System will
make it possible for government to rate, judge and grade lodges and resorts that are at
ecotourism destination.

4.1.1 NeedandScopeoftheProject
The Ecotourism industry keeps growing. It has become one of the fastest growing
sectors of tourism industry, growing annually by 10-15% worldwide (Miller 2007). For
their accommodation need lodges and resorts industries become essential to be set up
at ecotourism destinations. However, lodges and resorts industry often comes with
unsustainable consumption practices endangering ecosystem and natural resources.
Thus there is a need for Eco-rating System for lodges and resorts that are at ecotourism
destination.
The Eco-rating System is applicable to all hospitality units which are involved in the
business of catering at ecotourism destinations.
Examples of hospitality units: - lodges and resorts, lodge, resort, etc.
The Eco-rating System aims at promoting minimum eco friendly practices of operations
to be met by ecotourism hospitality operators, and will enable ecotourist to make better
choice for accommodation. Acknowledging and supporting accredited hospitality tourism
businesses has expected to help raise service standards, delivery and the development
in quality of hospitality services. The same can be expected from Eco-rating for
ecotourism businesses.

4.1.2 Ecologicalbenefitsoftheproject
As mentions above lodges and resorts are essential for ecotourism, so is ecosystem
conservation. It is often, that ecotourism destination with good climatic condition, water
availability, rich waterfall, rich biodiversity and other ecotourism features attracts
ecotourist and to wildlife. Hospitality operations disturb ecosystem like construction,
especially trough the building of structures, impervious surface and roads, destroys and
fragments habitat and disrupts ecological processes. Invasive species thrive and
pollution increases in these disturbed environments, causing numerous problems for
native species and their habitat.

13

A lodges and resorts can be eco-friendly, only when it is constructed and operated with
least impact on ecosystem. The Eco-rating System makes it possible to judge a lodges
and resorts according to its impact on ecosystem. The system will promote and motivate
lodges and resorts operators to improve their ecological impacts and to conserve
ecosystem.

4.1.3 Economicalbenefitsoftheproject
As per the discussion with environment auditors and seen in the pilot testing, (almost) no
lodges and resorts would make high investments just for environmental reasons, as long
as potential increases of revenues are not calculable. Lodges and resorts owners are
entrepreneurs and usually the protection of environment is not their concern. So the
government can either make Eco-rating as mandatory or voluntary for lodges and
resorts. But it is essential to practice marketing for Eco-rating. This marketing will give
reasons to lodges and resorts owners to go for Eco-Rating.
The fees for Eco-Rating grading seem rather unavoidable in accreditation procedure to
finance assessment itself on one hand and the marketing of Eco-Rating on the other.
There are different ways to establish the required amount of money depending on the
point of view of players. But from the point of MPEDB which has developed Eco-rating
System, the fees should cover:
The fees of accreditation team.
The budget for in charge organization (M.P. Ecotourism Development Board, M.P.
Govt.) for grading.
The costs related to marketing the Eco-rating System itself in order to reach a
significant dissemination of it.
These expenses are rather easily identified, although the second and third items depend
highly on the number of applicants to the label awarding.
From the lodges and resorts point of view, the maximum acceptable fee is also easy to
evaluate. It should be inferior to the additional benefit resulting from the augmentation in
frequentation due to the Eco-rating. For e.g. if admitting a 5 or 10% raise in tourist arrival
and a 25 to 50 % margin, this conducts to a fee in a range 0.25% to 0.10% of turnover. It
would also justify that there is some ratio between the present turnover and the future
fee.

14

4.2 EcoratingProposalforHospitalityIndustry
The Eco-rating System will provide Eco-rating to the lodges and resorts that are involved
in the business of catering at ecotourism destination. The Eco-rating for ecotourism is
first in the world of its kind. It will provide the assurance to guest as well as lodges and
resorts operators that lodging facilities and activities are meeting best eco friendly
practices. The Eco-rating System has been developed to meet the lodging industrys
desire to provide quality guest service, while minimizing their impact on environment,
local community etc.

4.2.1 PrinciplesandStructures
The main purpose of Eco-rating is to help ecologically oriented customers to find a
lodges and resorts which offers eco friendly services to ecotourist with the help of local
community
participation
and
conserve
environment,
while
generating
conservation/nature education to society. Another related purpose is to create an
incentive for lodges and resorts industry which is at ecotourism destination to improve
their operational activities.
Consequently the structure and design of the system has been developed by taking
following criteria in consideration:
Induction of substantial improvement of Ecological Orientation of the lodges and
resorts industry;
Induction of substantial improvement of Community Participation in lodges and
resorts industrys activities;
Induction of substantial improvement of Environmental performance of the lodges
and resorts industries;
Induction of substantial improvement of Conservation/Nature Education through
lodges and resorts industry;
Transparency and comprehensibility in the system;
Easy to check;
Provide strong initiative to all primary and secondary stakeholders.

15

CHAPTER5:PROJECTMETHODOLOGY

5.1 Multiconsultationapproachindevelopingstandardsandnorms
Identification of various players and stake holders and their consultation was the basis
for developing the standard and norms for assessing the eco friendly practices in lodges
and resorts industry, which are business venture of the ecotourism industry in India and
elsewhere in the world. This involves various stages/ phases, which were systematically
followed. Following the approach of the study in developing Eco-ratings system for
assessing to rate the best eco-friendly practices of the lodges and resorts for ecotourism
purpose.

5.2 PhaseoneIdentificationofbestecofriendlypracticesinLodges
andresortsIndustry
The first phase has an objective of identifying and compiling a list of best eco-friendly
practices in lodges and resorts industry. A list was built up with the aim of making the list
as large as possible because it seemed preferable to remove later which were either
being repeated or did not fit suitable to the objective than missing any. The list was
compiled from the following sources
Visit to lodges and resorts;
Interviews with lodges and resorts operators;
Discussion and interaction with lodges and resorts operators;
Either a questionnaire has been sent via e-mail or visited personally to the lodges and
resorts representative in Madhya Pradesh, India from 12 April 2010 to 25 April 2010,
while collection of answer and extraction of the results were completed from 26 April
2010 to 30 April 2010. The lodges and resorts representatives were reminded to fill and
send back the questionnaire in time. Out of 110 questionnaires sent out including
personal interviews, only 23 questionnaires were received with positive results. Based on
these 23 positive results it became possible to identify best eco-friendly practices in
lodges and resorts industry. The copy of questionnaire is attached. (Appendix 2)
A list of environmental domains, topics and eco-friendly practices was prepared for
discussion with lodges and resorts operators. The main aim of discussion was to extract
and gain more insight understanding about eco-friendly practices and lodges and resorts
activities.
During the process of collecting eco friendly practices in lodges and resorts industry from
lodges and resorts representative, literature were also referred to collect already

16

identified eco-friendly practices. The details of literature work have already been
discussed in literature review chapter.
Following is the resulted compile list after the refinement of eco-friendly practices in
lodges and resorts industry:
WATER

Installation of flow restrictors, low-flow showerheads and aerators in guestrooms;

Regular checking of water distribution channels for leaks;
Regular adequate water supply in water tanks to prevent the forming of bacteria;
Covered water tanks, swimming pool to protect them from dust, pest and other
sources of contaminations;
Installation of water conservation signage;
Changing towels, sheets and other clothes on demand;
Grey water recycling and reutilization;
environmentally sound water purification;
Encourage and motivate staff for water conservation.

ENERGY

Installation of energy-efficient lamps;

Use of photovoltaic lighting for the outdoor terrace;
Use energy-saving lighting techniques;
Use of energy efficiency tools;
Execution of energy auditing;
shut down power in sections of the lodges and resorts boundary that are not in
use;
Encourage and motivate staff for energy conservation.

WASTE

Use of reusable or recyclable products;

Minimum use of paper;
Reuse papers which have already been printed on one side;
Use of reusable cloth laundry bags;
Recycling of grey water and use of gray water for non-drinking purposes;
Purchase Organic soap and amenities in bulk;
Use naturally scented, non-toxic, phosphate-free, biodegradable cleaning
products for housekeeping;
Encourage and motivate staff for waste conservation.

17

Air
Use electric cars and other non-carbon emitting vehicles for short and frequent
distance;
Regular checking for air pollution of other carbon emitting vehicles;
Installation of ventilation system with a limiting system for chimney in the kitchen;
Non- smoking area sign;
Separate smoking zone;
Regular servicing and cleaning of the air filters in the rooms and common areas;
Encourage and motivate staff to minimize air pollution.
PURCHASING

Preference to locally manufactured products and materials;

Preference to local supplier;
Purchasing in reusable and returnable packaging;
Preference to Ecolabel products
Bulk purchasing.

TRAINING AND MOTIVATING EMPLOYEES

Environmental training programs for employees;
Regular newsletters and site inspections to ensure staffs efficiency and
environment performance;
INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION
Minimum communication gap for internal environmental issues;
Environmental activities information program for guests;
Leaflets or other brochures to inform guests on environmental subjects and
domains
Involvement of staff in events like World Environment Day, World Anti-Smoking
Day etc. through activities such as clean up drive, no plastic bag and pollution
under control campaigns.
CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE LOCAL COMMUNITY

Training and educational programs for local communities;

Employment generation for local communities;
Promotion to local culture and crafts wherever possible;
Culture exchange;
Host cultural program in festival/promotion.

18

5.3 PhasetwoSuggestionsandAddition
The phase two has an objective of suggesting and adding eco-friendly practices to the
compiled list with the aim of maximizing the list of suggestion and additions, because it
seemed preferable to remove later than missing any suggestion and addition. For this
purpose various books, case studies, existing accreditation systems for tourism were
referred. Based on these sources suggestion and addition process has been executed.
Table 2: List of the referred accreditation systems
Name Of the Project
DEHOGA scheme
Lodges and resorts Label
Tourist accommodation eco label
Green Keys
Nordic Eco labeling
Catalan Emblem
Eco label for the Tourist Industry
Green Deal
Green Flags for Greener Lodges and resortss
Green Globe 21
Green Key
Green Suitcase
Green Leaf Eco Rating Program
Lodges and resorts Environment Building Assessment
Scheme
ISO

Country
Germany
Austria
Luxembourg
Denmark
Scandinavian countries
Catalunya
Austria
Guatemala
EU Countries
International
Scandanavia
Europe
Canada
Hong Kong
International

Table 3: List of the referred case studies in hospitality industries:

Case Study
The Orchid Lodges and resorts
Lodges and resorts Madhuban
Lodges and resorts Mocking Bird Hill
Saunders Lodges and resorts Group, The Lennox and Copely
Square Lodges and resorts
Lodges and resorts Kurrajong
The Severin Sea Lodge
Golden Tulip Goes Greener: Environment Management at
Golden Tulip Lodges and resorts
Bass Lodges and resorts & Resorts (BHR)
EMS Taj Group

State, Country
Mumbai, India
Dehra Dun, India
Port Antonio, Jamaica
Boston USA
Australia
Mombasa, Kenya
International
International
India

19

Following is a list of suggestions and additions to the list of best eco friendly practices
after the refinement:
WATER
Rain water harvesting system;
Installation of pressure flushes in toilets and urinals;
Encourage and motivate guests for water conservation.
ENERGY

Energy management system for heating / air conditioning;

Peak load management system;
Automatic temperature regulation;
Use gas or induction ranges instead of electric ranges;
Promotion of less energy consuming dishes;
Thermal insulation in rooms;
Encourage and motivate guests for energy conservation.

WASTE

Separate collection and disposal of waste produced;

Promotion and use of reusable/washable dishes;
Develop and implement a waste management system;
Separate buckets for the recyclable waste collection;
Use a compression machine to the reduce the volume of waste;
Use of recyclable garbage bags;
Return packaging material to the suppliers for reuse;
Donation of food waste;
Reuse newspaper waste for other;
Donate old equipments to college and schools for education purpose;
Encourage and motivate guests for waste reduction.

AIR
Installation of covered sanitary bins;
installation of signage at parking area to encouraging guests not to idle their
vehicles;
Indoor plantation;
Outdoor plantation;

20

 Avoid room freshener and other air purification product to provide natural indoor
environment to guest;
Encourage and motivate guests to minimize air pollution.
PURCHASING

Consider ecological aspect in its purchasing policy;

No pesticides or insecticides purchasing policy;
Written statement for environmental friendly purchasing policy;
Encourage and motivate suppliers to offer their own innovative suggestions for
reducing packaging waste.

TRAINING AND MOTIVATING EMPLOYEES

External training programs for employees;

Staffs participation in external training courses on environment management;
Implementation of results of external trainings;
Quality of staff.

INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION

Information signs for guest;

A gold book or opinion questionnaire for guests;
interpretation center;
A website of lodges and resorts preferably with opaque background and must
provide environmental information to guests and visitors;
On line/e-booking facility for reservation;
Eco-magazine and/or Eco-news paper at lobby;
Educate ecotourist/guest about ecotourism spots and destination;
Educate local people, guest and staff about the importance of wild life
conservation;
Educate local people, guest and staff about the importance of environment
conservation;
Educational programs for local communities;
Aware/inform guests about harmful species or places in the area.

CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE LOCAL COMMUNITY

Promote and contribute in local festivals;
Promote and contribute in local market;
Involve local people in decision making process;

21

 Share profit with local communities;

Promotion to Local food and beverage.

ECOLOGICAL ACTIVITIES
Organize eco tour;
Security to guest from wildlife;
Security to wildlife from guest.
HOSPITALITY SERVICES

100% organic cotton sheets, towels and mattresses for guest;

Reusable bags for laundry;
Accept credit cards for payments;
Wake up call service on request;
Use only naturally-scented or scent free, non-toxic, phosphate-free, and
biodegradable products for laundry.

SEWAGE
Either connectivity with public sewage line or onsite sewage treatment plant;
Recycle or reuse sewage water.
INFRASTRUCTURE

Water glasses for windows in guest rooms;

All floors and walls have non-porous surface;
White and/or reflective roof;
Reuse existing building material for the construction of the building;
Maximum height of 25 feet;
No fencing for lodges and resorts boundary;
No swimming pool;
Use of earthy colors for painting walls;
Use locally manufactured carpets and other decoration products for lodges and
resorts decoration;
Local labor for construction work;
Use local technology for construction activities;
Maximum distance from ecotourism destination or parks gate;
Minimum distance from village;
Minimum distance from local market;

22

Maximum distance from rail tracks;

Maximum distance from highways;
Maximum distance from forest corridors;
Located in forest fringe area;
Surrounding wild life view;
Link to main road.

5.4 PhaseThreeEvolvementofSpecification,StandardsandNorms
Based on the environmental, economical and social dimension of the sustainable
management and best eco friendly practices for natural resources management, the
basic principles involved in the eco-tourism were identified. Based on them the
principles, criteria & indicators, standards and norms to measure the trend of the
ecological conditions and sustainable management of the same have been developed.
Standard value or Norms are also fixed based on the experiences gained from the
previous phases of the study.

5.4.1 Principles
Principles are defined as a fundamental truth or law as the basis of reasoning or action.
They are seen as primary framework for lodges and resorts operations in eco friendly
way. They provide justification for the Criteria, Indicators and Verifiers.
Example:
Community participation in lodges and resorts activities;
Environment conservation initiatives.
Developed definition of the Ecotourism for the projectA tourism that orient tourist towards ecology with the help of local communities,
while conserving environment and generating environment education.
The Eco-rating System has four principles and these principles have been derived from
developed definition of ecotourism mentioned above. The four principles are given below
and shown in the following figure.
Four principles:
9
9
9
9

Community Participation,
Environment Conservation,
Conservation/Nature Education, and
Ecological Orientation.

23

Figure 1: Eco-rating System & four principles

5.4.2 CriteriaandIndicators
Criteria and indicators are tools which can be used to conceptualize, evaluate ecofriendliness of a lodges and resorts. Criteria define and characterize the essential
elements, as well as a set of conditions or processes, by which the eco-friendliness of a
lodges and resorts can be assessed. Indicators define and characterize criteria, as well
as a set of tool to monitor criteria.
Criterion:
Defined as a standard that a thing is judged by or an identifiable element of
eco friendliness against which a lodges and resorts can be assessed.
Criteria set out the key elements or dimensions that define and clarify each
principle or a second order principle, one that adds meaning and
operationality to a principle without itself being a direct yardstick of
performance.

24

 Criteria are the intermediate points to which the information provided by

indicators can be integrated and where an interpretable assessment
crystallizes.
Examples:

Various benefits to local community

Promotion of Local Culture
Environmental policy and training policy
Information and Communication

Indicator:
Indicators should convey meaningful message i.e. information
Indicators present an aggregate of one or more data elements with certain
established relationships
When periodically measured indicators gives trend/ progress
Examples:
Information and communication methods
Noise pollution measurement practices
Energy conservation techniques

25

Figure 2: Community Participation Criteria and Indicators

26

Figure 3: Environmental Conservation Criteria and Indicators

27

Figure 4: Conservation/Nature Education Criteria and Indicators

Figure 5: Ecological Orientation Criteria and Indicators

28

5.4.3 BenchmarkingandThresholdValue
Benchmarking is the process of comparing one's lodges and resorts processes and
performance metrics to industry bests and/or best practices from other industries.
Threshold value is minimum/maximum point that must/must not be exceeded.
To find benchmarking and threshold values for key environment aspects, consumption
per guest can be taken as unit. For e. g. benchmarking or threshold value for energy can
be calculated by:

Here, B = Benchmarking or threshold value

k = 0.25 (here it is being assumed that guests to restaurant consume 4 times less
energy than that of by in house guests.)
The value of k has to be calculated based on the lodges and resorts energy
consumption data,
The same formula can be used for other key environment aspects like water, waste, etc.
However following problems arise:
Data to define adequate threshold values are hardly available;
Lodges and resorts are different by location, comfort level, size of restaurant and
many other factors, so the definition of uniform threshold value or benchmarking is
debatable; and
Environment issues are so complex that benchmarking or threshold value for
criteria & indicators is questionable.
It is found that above mentioned problems can be solved but this process will take time
of one or two months. Hence the benchmarking and threshold values have been
developed on the basis of experience gained through previous study and with the
consultation of experts.

5.4.4 StandardsandNorms
Standards and norms have been developed on the basis of benchmark or threshold
values, and with multi consultation.

29

5.4: PhaseFourDevelopmentofEcoratingSystem
The Eco-rating System aims at assessing the degree of environment friendliness of a
lodges and resorts. The system is a set of questionnaire based on the principles, criteria
& indicator, standards and norms. It has been developed by taking following objectives
and goals into consideration.
Specific: The system should be straightforward, simple, and objective, and
should emphasize on ecotourism objectives;
Measurable: The system should be use measurable criteria and indicators to
demonstrate the extent of eco friendly practices incorporated into the lodges
and resorts activities;
Applicability: The system should be used on all of the types of hospitality
industrys units that are at ecotourism destinations (e.g., hotels, lodges and
resorts etc);
Relevance: The system should provide a whole lodges and resorts
evaluation rather than an evaluation of an individual activity or design feature;
Timely: The system should be completed within assigned time.

Principle

Criterion

Indicator

Figure 6: Eco-rating System Framework

Questionnaire

30

5.4.1 Aweighedscoringsystem
The Eco-rating System is composite of four principles and seventeen criteria. The eco
friendly performance of lodges and resorts is not reducible to a single factor such as
water conservation practices and also each principle and criteria has their individual
importance in environment and ecosystem. Thus it is essential to have weighed scoring
system for granting Eco-rating to the lodges and resorts.
Weighed scoring survey
As mentioned in above paragraph weighed scoring system was found as the solution for
scoring system. For the same a survey has been conducted with the aim of finding
individual weights for each principle and criterion of Eco-rating System.
Method
A questionnaire was developed based on the principles and criteria and either online link
for questionnaire or personal visit to targeted sample population was done for survey.
The copy of same questionnaire is attached. (Appendix 2)
Targeted Sample Population
Sample population is defined as per primary and secondary stakeholders of the project.
Forest Department: A set of questionnaire was send to 50 forest officers such as
CCF, CF, ACF, DFO, SDO, and Range Officers.
Environment Institutes: A set of questionnaire was send to 25 faculty and
research associate of Indian Institute of Forest Management, Bhopal.
Hospitality Industry: A set of questionnaire was send to 75 lodges and resorts,
which are involved in catering business at ecotourism destinations.
Environmentally aware general public: A set of questionnaire was send to 250
environmentally aware general public, which include students and alumni of
Indian Institute of Forest Management, Bhopal.
Constraints
Lack of accessibility to forest department and hospitality industry.
Respondent were given only three days time to reply.
Results& Findings
Out of 250 questionnaires 40 positive replies were received. Based on these 40 positive
replies it became possible to obtain individual weightage for each principle and criterion.
The questionnaire was developed in such a way that it results in providing preferred
rankings of respondents about principles and criteria. The individual scores of all the 40
respondents for each and every criterion were summed and an aggregated score was
obtained. The maximum aggregate score that can be obtained is 40 multiplied by
number of criteria under the respective principle. For example in case of Principle one

31

which is Community Participation there are five criteria and hence the maximum
aggregate score would be 40 5 = 200
Rating of one indicates that the criterion holds maximum significance where as higher
rating indicates a lower significance of that criterion.
The aggregate score is subtracted from the maximum aggregate score that can be
obtained for that particular criterion and a residual score is obtained. This residual score
is divided by the sum of all the residual scores under the same principle and then
multiplied by 100 to get a percentage weightage. The calculation and details are given in
the attached CD.
Higher the percentage weightage, higher is the importance of the criterion.
The following charts represent weightage for principle and criterion.

Figure 7: Weighted for Criteria of Community Participation

32

Figure 8: Weighted for Criteria of Environment Conservation

Figure 9: Weighted for Criteria of Conservation/Nature Education

33

Figure 10: Weighted for Criteria of Ecological Orientation

Figure11:WeightedforPrinciples

5.4.2 EcoratingRanges
The Eco-rating will be granted to the lodges and resorts according to its weighed score.
The Eco-rating Ranges have been developed after the results of pilot testing which is
explained in the next chapter and with the consultation of experts. Each criterion in the
principle has its weightage and average & maximum weighted score is calculated on the

34

basis of given weightage. In this way average and maximum weighted score is
calculated for each principle. With the help of it total score is calculated. Now these
scores are put with the weightage given to the principles. This lead to the calculation of
maximum possible weighted score and average weighted score. The results give a
range which tells about maximum score that can be obtained by a lodges and resorts.
Eco-rating Ranges could be obtained on the basis of pilot testing. But the enough
number of pilot testing could not be exercised due to lack of time. Hence the Eco-rating
Ranges have been developed with interval of 3.60. The calculation and details are given
in the attached CD.
Table 4: The eco-ratings
Eco-rating

Score Range
0-3.60
3.61-7.2
7.21-10.8
10.81-14.4
14.41-18.19

35

CHAPTER 6: PILOT TESTING

After the development of Eco-rating System, the developed system was sent to group of
individuals including IFS officers, faculty of IIFM, Bhopal, lodges and resorts operators
and environmentally aware general public with the request of providing their views,
comments and ideas. So that appropriate action can be taken towards improvement. On
deliberation with different stake holders it was felt that it will be appropriate to exercise
pilot testing of the system in a few lodges and resorts which are at ecotourism
destinations.
Objectives of Pilot Testing
To check feasibility of the project;
To find scope of improvements;
To find Eco-rating Ranges; and
To check whether SMART goals are achieved.

6.1 Pilottestingteamandmethodologyadopted
A team was form for pilot testing and was given a responsibility of executing pilot testing
of lodges and resorts at Satpura Tiger Reserve, Madhya Pradesh. The team comprised
of two persons. They adopted a uniform approach in pilot testing exercise carried at
Satpura tiger reserve area. Visits to the lodges and resorts, collection of primary and
secondary data, discussion with the lodges and resorts operator and others and physical
review of the lodges and resorts.

6.2 ObservationsandFindings
Local communities local people are those, who have their permanent resident
within the radius of 5 kilometers (as JFM guidelines) from the lodges and resorts.
But at the pilot testing it is found that there are hardly any villages that come in
this range.
Lack of availability of supply from local community It is found that lodges
and resorts operators are willing to purchase from local communities but their
need is much more than the supply from local community.
Lack of human resource It is found that lodges and resorts operators are
willing to hire local employee but there is a lack of local human resource and
quality of employees.
Lack of surface and rain water source It is found that most of the ecotourism
destination are closed during raining season. Lodges and resorts operators also

36

closed down their lodges and resorts in the same period due to the same reason.
It disables them to collect rain water or to use surface water during the operational
period and they have to meet their water supply need from ground water.
Lack of energy It is found that lodges and resorts at ecotourism destination do
not have proper supply of electricity, which forces them to use electric batteries or
carbon emitting devices to meet their energy requirement.
No sewage line connectivity It is found that most of the lodges and resorts at
ecotourism destination have no connectivity with public sewage line. It is
necessary for the well being of ecosystem and local community that wastewater
should be directed to sewage treatment plants for treatment before discharge. But
due to lack of connectivity with either public sewage line or sewage treatment
plants a large volume of wastewater are discharged without treatment at
ecotourism destination.

6.3 Results
Two lodges were selected for pilot testing. The lodge owners asked not to disclose their
name in report so they are referred as lodge A and Lodge B.
Table 5: Objectives Achieve
Objectives
Feasibility of the project
Scope of improvements
Eco-rating Ranges
Specific
Measurable
Applicability
Relevance
Timely

Result
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes

37

Chapter 7: Summary and Conclusions

Based on the literature review and experience gained through study following
recommendation for the further development of the Eco-rating System for ecotourism
sector is given.

Take optimum advantage of the experience from existing systems the project
has been developed by taking the experience from the existing systems.
Work in close co-operation with experts, forest & ecotourism department and
lodges and resorts operators
Focus in one direction at one time
Develop a definition of the sector a definition has been developed for
ecotourism and based on the definition this system has been developed;
Define the services provided by the sector and system;
Divide project into phases the project has been developed in four phases;
Give more attention to the field learning and testing due to lack of time adequate
field learning and testing of the project has not been done;
Provide flexibility to the standards;
Develop quantitative standards as much as possible;
Define a proper difference between existing accreditation systems and Eco-rating
System
Site specific standards and norms site specification standards and norms have
been developed as much as possible.

Following are the recommendations that need to be exercise before this project can
become functional.
Formation of multi dimensional team;
Further appropriate improvements in the system;

38

A feasibility study regarding the project;

Economical analysis of the project;
Development of site specific standards and norms;
Implementation of the system at country level instead of only in Madhya Pradesh;

It has been observed that lodges and resorts operators go for accreditation to increase
their market value and enhance their guest arrival. To meet their need the system should
be first receive its recognition from tourist. To achieve this requirement the Eco-rating
System is suggested to be implemented by the Ecotourism Development Board, Govt. of
India with the involvement of Ministry of Tourism and Ministry of Environment and Forest,
Govt. of India and state Ecotourism Development Boards can be assigned as
accreditation executing bodies.

39

Bibliography
(n.d.). Retrieved April 5 , 2010, from The International Ecotourism Society:
http://www.ecotourism.org
(n.d.). Retrieved June 14, 2010, from Oxford Dictionary: www.oed.com
Honey. (1999).
Paulina Bohdanowicz, B. S. (2005). SUSTAINABLE LODGES AND RESORTSS ENVIRONMENT REPORTING ACCORDING TO GREEN GLOBE 21, GREEN GLOBES
CANADA / GEM UK, IHEI BENCHMARKLODGES AND RESORTS AND HILTON
ENVIRONMENT REPORTING. Tokyo.
The International Ecotourism Society and Canopy Development. (2006). TIES Global
Ecotourism Fact Sheet.
Eco Housing Assessment Criteria: International Institute for Energy Conservation
Environment Canada. 2000. Ecological, Assessment of the Boreal Shield Ecozone.p.xi
Environment Canada.1996. Importance of Nature to Canadians: Economic significance
of nature related activities.
Ecotourism Society of Saskatchewan, 2000.
Environment Management Systems, Taj group
Green Flag for Green Hotels, Europe
Sustainable Lodges and resorts environmental reporting according to green globe 21,
green globes canada / gem uk, ihei benchmarklodges and resorts and hilton
environmental reporting
Fowler, K. M., and Raunch, E.M. July 2006. Sustainable building rating system
summary.
Meade, Bill and Pringle, Joe. Environmental Management System for Caribbean lodges
and resorts and resorts
November 2002, Green Building Rating System for new construction & major renovation
(LEED-NC), version 2.1

40

APPENDICES
Appendix1:GLOSSARY
Action Plan:

A detailed plan identifying corrective actions, means,

responsibilities, resources, and the time frame necessary for
their implementation.

Checklist:

A list of actions that can be used to assess indicators.

Cleaner Production:

Cleaner production is the adoption by an enterprise of

production practices and technologies that respect the
environment and that consume fewer resources so that they
generate less waste.

Continuous Improvement:
The process of progressively enhancing the
environmental management system to achieve improvements
in the overall environmental performance in line with the
lodges and resorts environmental policy.
Eco-efficiency:

A concept that consists in offering competitive goods and

services that meet human needs and guarantee quality of life,
while at the same time progressively reducing the whole-life
ecological impacts and resource demands of the products,
until a level at least compatible with the earths estimated
capacity is reached.

Environment:

It is the natural surroundings of the enterprise, including air,

water, soil, natural resources, flora, fauna and human beings,
as well as their interactions.

Environmental Aspect:

That element of the activities, products or services of an

enterprise which may interact with the environment.

Environmental Impact:

Any modification of the environment whether negative or

positive, total or partial.

Environmental Management System (EMS): Structure, organization and management

methods implemented to meet the enterprises environmental
policy. The goal is continuous improvement.
Environmental Policy:

An enterprises commitments, orientations, and general

objectives with respect to the environment as decided by

41

management. Observing existing laws and regulations is an

integral part of this policy, and so is the environmental
improvement strategy.
Green Stuff:

It is a list of eco friendly products for lodges and resorts.

Greenstuffs identifies green products and services on your
behalf, and will help you to "go green" and be awarded green
star accreditation for your lodgings. Through Greenstuffs you
can become carbon neutral and offer your guests carbon
offsets. No need to reinvent the wheel.

Hazardous Waste:

Any waste containing significant quantities of substances

which are especially dangerous to the life or health of living
organisms (including humans) when discharged into the
environment. Dangerous properties include toxicity,
arcinogenicity, or mutagenicity as well as chemical reactivity
and other biologically harmful properties.

Mass Tourism:

A mode of tourism that appeared in the 1960s, resulting from

the general provision of paid vacations in many industrialized
countries, which allowed most people to travel and support
the tourism industry.

Non-hazardous Waste:

Any waste having a nature and composition that are similar to

those of household wastes, and comprise items whose
longest dimension does not exceed 60 cm. Furthermore, the
handling and storage of such wastes present no particular
risks. Such wastes many be generated by industry,
commerce, workshops or agricultural activities.

Procedure:

Written organizational rule describing responsibilities and

sequence of tasks or activities necessary for the realization of
a product or a service.

Recycling:

It is an act of processing used or abandoned materials to

reuse either in their original form by creating new products.

Sustainable

Development: Development that meets present needs without

endangering the ability of future generations to meet their
own needs. Sustainable development is contrasted with other
modes of development that lead to social and ecological
damage, at both the local and global levels.

42

Sustainable Tourism:

Management of all resources associated with tourism

activities in such a way that economic, social, and aesthetic
needs are met in a way that respects the cultural and
environmental integrity, biological diversity, and lifestyle of the
receiving area.

Local Community:

Resides within 5 Km radius from the lodges and resorts, if

there is no human settlement within 5 Km then the nearest
accessible village

Community Development: Social, cultural as well as economic progress of community

Operational Activities:

All the activities required to be carried out in lodges and

resorts industry e.g. Hospitality, Catering etc

Lodges and resorts Boundary: Build up and non-build up area owned by the lodges
and resorts
Rainwater Harvesting System: Collection of rainwater, its filtering, use
Waste Management:

Waste collection, segregation, recycling, reuse, and disposal

Recyclable Waste:

Waste that can be processed and recycle.

Waste Segregate Mechanism: Mechanism followed to separate different types of

waste so as to increase efficiency of waste disposal
HVAC:

(Heating Ventilation Air Conditioning System) Management

of various heating and cooling operations to maintain
ambiance

43

Appendix2:EcoratingSystem

Principle 1. Community Participation

Q.
no.

Question

Yes
/no

Norm/
Standards

W.2

Criterion 1.1: Local Suppliers

1.

Indicator 1.1.1: Purchasing from local communities

How many and how much of the following products you purchase from
local suppliers? And what is your score according to the table?
products / %
< 60% 60 to 75%
75 to 90%
> 90%
Dairy products
0
1
2
3
vegetables
0
1
2
3
Non-vegetables
0
1
2
3
Fresh beverage
0
1
2
3
Infrastructure material
0
1
2
3
Wine & beer
0
1
2
3
Furniture & Fittings
0
1
2
3
Checking principle: one site inspection through food & beverage department

Minimum
purchasing of
60%

3.

4.
5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

Indicator 1.2.1: Economic Benefits to local people

Do you promote and contribute in local festivals?
*Checking principles: on site inspection of festival records through food & beverage
department
Do you promote and contribute in local market?
*Checking principles: on site inspection of purchasing pattern through food &
beverage department
Do you involve local people in decision making process?
*Checking principles: management practices
What practices do you do for community development?
a. Charity/involvement in hospitals
b. Charity/involvement in schools
c. Charity/involvement in markets
d. Charity/involvement in temples
e. Charity for other local community activities
*Checking principles: development practices for local community
Indicator 1.2.2: Employment to Local People
What is the ratio of local employees to total employees?
0:10
5:10 6:10
7:10 8:10 9:10
10:10
Ratio
Score
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
*Checking principles: through A/C & HR department
How many local people you have trained in last 12 months?
Trainings
0 1-2
3-4
4-5
6 7 8 9 10 11 12
Score
0
1
2
3
4 5 6 7
8
9
10
*Checking Principle: through A/C & HR department
What is the salary ratio of local employees to total salary paid?
0:10
5:10 6:10
7:10 8:10 9:10
10:10
Ratio
Score
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
*Checking principles: through A/C department
How many local story narrators you have haired?
Narrators
0
1-2
3-4
4-5
5
Score
0
1
2
3
4
*Checking principles: through A/C department

0-21

W.28

Criterion 1.2: Various benefits to local community

2.

Score

1
0-5

Minimum
mandatory
ratio = 5:10

0-6

0-10

Minimum
mandatory
ratio = 5:10

0-6

0-4

44

10.

Do you share your profit with local communities?

*Checking principles: Corporate social responsibility practices

1
W.14

Criterion 1.3: Food & Beverage

11.

12.

13.

Indicator 1.3.1: Promotion to Local food and beverage

How many local dishes do you have in your menu card?
0
Up to 3
Up to 5
Up to 7
8
Local Dishes
Score
0
1
2
3
4
*Checking principles: on site physical inspection
How many seasonal local dishes do you have in your menu card?
0
Up to 3
Up to 5 Up to 7
8
Seasonal local Dishes
Score
0
1
2
3
4
*Checking principles: on site physical inspection
Indicator 1.3.2: Promotion of less energy consuming dishes
How many less energy consuming dishes do you have in your menu card?
0 Up to 3 Up to 5 Up to 7 8
less energy consuming Dishes
Score
0
1
2
3
4
*Checking principles: on site physical inspection

0-4

0-4

0-4

W.26

Criterion 1.4: Promotion of Local Culture

14.
15.

16.

Indicator 1.4.1: Cultural Activities

Do you entertain your guest and local people for culture exchange?
*Checking principles: local activity, event practices
Do you host cultural program in festival/promotion? If yes, then how
many you have hosted in the last 12 months?
Program
0
1-2
3-4
4-5
5
Score
0
1
2
3
4
Do you use local technology in operational activities?
*Checking principles: food and beverage and housekeeping department

1
0-4

1
W.12

Criterion 1.5: Hospitality services

17.

Indicator 1.5.1: Facilities to Guests

Do you provide on line/e-booking facility for reservation?

1
1

20.

Do you organize eco tour, if yes then how many eco tour program you
organized in the last year?
Do you use 100% organic cotton sheets, towels and mattresses for
guest?
Do you provide encased mattresses and pillows to guest?

21.

Do you have covered sanitary bins in guest rooms?

22.

What is the frequency of collecting garbage from covered sanitary bins?

23.

Do you use reusable bags for laundry?

24.

Do you use recyclable garbage bags?

25.

Do you accept credit cards for payments?

26.

Do you provide wake up call service on request?

27.

Do you always provide lid, bio-degradable toilet paper and water in

western toilets?
Do you provide facility of doctor on call?

18.
19.

28.

1
1

1
Max
86

Total Score in Community participation=

45

Principle 2. Environment Conservation

Q.
no.

Question

Yes
/no

Norm/
Standards

Score
W.23

Criterion 2.1: Water

29.

30.

31.

32.

33.

34.

35.
36.
37.

38.

39.

Indicator 2.2.1: Water quality &Maintenance

How do you get your water supply?
Supply
Score
From utility companies who purify water before distribution
1
From surface waters (rivers, streams, etc.)
1
From ground waters (well, bore etc.)
0
*Checking principles: on site inspection through maintenance department
Do you have environmentally sound water purification in your lodges and
resorts boundary?
*Checking principles: on site inspection through maintenance department
Do you clean your water storage tank and remove exterior and interior
scales build up?
*checking principle: on site inspection through maintenance department
Are the water storage tanks covered and protected from dust, pest, and
other sources of contamination?
*checking principle: on site checking and through maintenance department
Do you have a regular adequate turnover in water storage tanks to
prevent the forming of bacteria?
*checking principle: on site checking and through maintenance department
Indicator 2.1.2: Water conservation
How often is the water distribution system checked for leaks, pressure
control malfunctions and other inefficiencies?
Frequency
Score
Daily by the sweepers
1
Weakly by lobby managers
1
Monthly by maintains managers
1
*Checking principles: on site through maintenance department
Do you regularly check your tanks for leaks?
*checking principle: on site checking and through maintenance department
Have you install pressure flush valves on toilets and urinals?
* checking principle: housekeeping department
Have you installed low flow shower heads and tap restrictors on hand
basins?
Area covered
Score
< 50%
0
50 %
1
80 %
2
*Checking principles: inspection of guest bathrooms; consulting the manufacturers
technical specifications. housekeeping department

minimum use of
ground water

0-2

No chemical in
use

At least
every
months

in
six

1-3

1
1
Minimum
benchmark
50%

Do you have water conservation sign in toilets, bathrooms and in guest

rooms?
*Checking principles: on site inspection of signage and through Housekeeping
department
Do you use grey water for watering plants?
*Checking principles: on site checking and through maintenance department

0-3
of

46

40.

41.
42.

43.

44.
45.

Do you encourage your employees to save water during daily work

routines?
*checking principle: through personal department, training department
Indicator 2.1.3: Rain Water
Do you have a rainwater harvesting system?
*Checking principles: on site inspection of the rainwater harvesting system
Do you reuse your collected rain water for irrigation and other nondrinking use?
* Checking principles: on site checking and through maintenance department
Indicator 2.1.4: Swimming pool
Do you have swimming pool?
Ans
Score
Yes
0
No
2
Do you have water saving system in swimming pool?
*Checking principles: on site checking and through maintenance department
Do you use non-pesticides products to purify swimming pool water?
*Checking principles: on site checking and through maintenance department

1
1

0 or
2

1
1
W.2

Criterion 2.2: Waste

46.

Indicator 2.2.1: Waste Management

How many of following waste categories, you collect and dispose
separately?
Waste Categories
Score
Paper/Cardboard
1
Glass
1
food residuals and other organic substances
1
Plastic
1
Metal
1
None
0
*checking principle: written concept and on-site inspection

0-5

47.

How many of following hazardous waste categories, you collect and

dispose separately?
Hazardous Waste Categories
Score
toxic cleaning agent
1
Batteries
1
Fluorescent tubes
1
motor and machine oil
1
paints and organic diluters
1
pesticides/ fungicides
1
None
0
*checking principles: on site inspection and evidence with bills

0-6

48.

Are there separate buckets in following areas for the recyclable waste
collection?
a. kitchen
b. guest rooms
c. restaurant
d. offices and in reception area
* checking principles: on-site physical inspection of buckets labeling, color etc.

0-4

49.

Have you develop waste segregate mechanism?

*Checking principles: On-Site inspection of system and review of documentation

47

50.

51.

52.

53.

54.

55.

56.
57.
58.
59.
60.

Have you developed and implemented a waste management system for

your lodges and resorts?
*checking principles: on-site inspection and verification of written concept
*note: Waste management include products purchasing, waste collection, waste
storing, waste transporting and final disposal
Do you use only naturally-scented or scent free, non-toxic, phosphatefree, and biodegradable products for laundry?
Indicator 2.2.2: Waste Reduction
Do you reduce packaging waste by buying in bulk or returnable
containers?
Items
Score
Food & Beverage
1
Liquor
1
Disposable
1
Toiletries
1
None
0
*checking principles: evidence by bills
Do you return packaging material to the suppliers for reuse?
Quantity
Score
< 30 %
0
30 %
1
60 %
2
85%
3
*checking principles: estimation, list of suppliers from F&B department and evidence by bills

0-4

0-3

Do you utilize and promote reusable/washable dishes?

* checking principles: on-site inspection and evidence with bills and By raw
material record book
Do you use a compression machine for the reduction of the volume of
waste?
*checking principles: On-site physical inspection of machine
Indicator 2.2.3: Waste Reuse
Do you donate your food waste?
*Checking principles:
Do you reuse papers which have already been printed on one side, using
photocopy paper via actions like dual - face photocopy production, etc.?
Do you reuse newspaper waste for other purpose?
Indicator 2.2.4: Waste Recycling
Do you donate or recycle your linens like towels, bed sheets etc?

Have you developed waste recycling mechanism?

*Checking principles: physical review of mechanism and documentation

1
1
1
1

W.15

Criterion 2.3: Energy

61.

Indicator 2.3.1: HVAC Control

Where do you preponderantly use energy-saving lighting techniques?
a. Corridor and stairs
b. Entrance and lobby
c. Guest rooms
d. Outside area
e. Restaurant/s
f. Toilets

0-7

48

g.

62.

63.

64.

65.

66.

67..

68.

Other area.(.please mention the other areas and they should be

almost equal to above areas)
*Checking principles: on site checking and through maintenance and housekeeping
department
Are the guests rooms connected to central heating, cooling and warm
water supply?
*Checking principles: Inspection of guest rooms, piping and heating space through
maintenance department
Indicator 2.3.2: Energy conservation techniques
Do you shut down power in sections of the lodges and resorts boundary
that are not in use?
*checking principle: on site inspection of building management system (BEMS)
Do you use any of the following energy conservation technique in guest
rooms?
a. time-based control
b. room key-card
c. occupancy-linked control
d. central switches
e. window contact switches
*Checking principles: Inspection of guest rooms and referring controllers / switches
Do you use gas or induction ranges instead of electric ranges?
* Checking principles: Inspection of kitchens, laundries and referring piping
networks
Indicator 2.3.3: Energy auditing
Have any energy experts carried out an energy audit for your lodges and
resorts within the last three years?
*checking principle: on site inspection by bill or by contract details of energy
auditing
If you have gone through energy audit then have you realized and
realize energy saving measures in accordance with recommendations
from the energy audit?
*Checking principle: on site inspection and by evaluating changes in recording
resister
Indicator 2.3.4: Renewable energy option
What is the ratio of renewable energy consumption to total energy
consumption?
Ratio 1:10 2:10 3:10 4:10 5:10 6:10 7:10 8:10
9:10
10:10

0-10

Score

69.

70.

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
*Checking principles: On site inspection of renewable energy system installations;
checking of planning data and total energy consumption figures
Do you recover heat for other purpose?
*Checking principles: Inspection of heat recovery systems
Indicator 2.3.5: Energy efficiency
Do you use energy efficient heating / cooling technologies?
Energy source
Score
co-generation unit
1
low emission burner / condensing boiler
1
low temperature boiler
1
heat pump
1
None
0
*Checking principles: On site inspection of heating/cooling installations

0-4

49

71.

Do you apply automatic temperature regulation in all rooms (e. g. via

72.

thermostats / temperature sensors)?

*Checking principles: On site inspection of heating/cooling installations
Do you have thermal insulated in rooms?

73.

Do you have installed translucent lampshades in the lodges and resorts?

*Checking principles: physical review

1
W.15

Criterion 2.4: Sewage

74.

75.

Indicator 2.4.1: Sewage System

Do you have either connectivity with public sewage line or onsite sewage
treatment plant?
*Checking principles: Physical review and through bills
Indicator 2.4.2: Recycling and reuse of sewage water
Do you recycle or reuse sewage water?
* Checking principles: on site inspection of the sewage treatment system

1
W.15

Criterion 2.5: Noise

76.

77.

78.

Indicator 2.5.1 Condition of indoor and outdoor climate or environment

What is the condition of indoor and outdoor climate/environment?
Condition
Peaceful
Noisy
Indoor
2
0
Outdoor
2
0
*Checking principle: on site by inspecting lodges and resorts and by asking guest or
staff etc
Indicator 2.5.2: Develop mechanism to maintain indoor and outdoor environment
If the indoor/outdoor climate condition is noisy, then have you
developed
any
mechanism
to
maintain
peaceful
indoor
climate/environment?
a. For Indoor climate
b. For outdoor climate
*Checking principle: on site by inspecting and by some questionnaire
Indicator 2.5.3: Noise pollution measurement practices
If noise reduction measures for indoor climate/environment have been
performed yet, is there any metering report after the implementation
of reduction measures?
a. For Indoor climate
b. For outdoor climate
*Checking principles: metering report

0-4

0-2

0-2

W.12

Criterion 2.6: Air

79.

80.

Indicator 2.6.1: Transportation

Do you use electric cars and other non-carbon emitting vehicles for
short and frequent distance?
*Checking principles: one site inspection through food & beverage and store
department
What is the ratio of your non-carbon emitting vehicles to carbon
emitting vehicles?
0
Up to 3
Up to 5
Up to 7
8
Local Dishes
Score
0
1
2
3
4
*Checking principles: one site inspection through store department

0-4

50

81.

82.

83.

84.

85.
86.

87.

88.

89.

90.

What is the frequency of checking for air pollution of other carbon

0-3

emitting vehicles?
quarterly
half yearly
yearly
> a year
Frequency
3
2
1
0
Score
*Checking principles: vehicles on site inspection, air pollution checking reports
Do you have signage at parking area to encouraging guests not to idle
their vehicles?
*Checking principles: Physical review
Indicator 2.6.2: Ventilation system
Have you installed ventilation system with a limiting system for chimney
in the kitchen?
*Checking principles: on site inspection of kitchen.
Do you have adequate ventilation system in the building?
*Checking principles: on site physical review
Indicator 2.6.3: Tobacco smoking
Do you have non- smoking area sign in the lodges and resorts?
*Checking principles: on site physical inspection of non smoking signage
Do you have a separate smoking area for smoking?
*Checking principles: on site physical inspection of separate smoking area.
Indicator 2.6.4: Plantation
Do you have indoor plants in your lodges and resorts to improve indoor
air quality, if yes then they are in which area/s?
a. Corridor and stairs
b. Entrance and lobby
c. Guest rooms
d. Outside area
e. Restaurant/s
f. Toilets
g. Other area.(.please mention the other areas and they should be
almost equal to above areas)
*Checking principles: on site physical inspections
Have you done outdoor plantation?
*Checking principles: on site physical inspection
Indicator 2.6.5: Indoor Air Quality
Do you avoid room freshener and other air purification product to
provide natural indoor environment to guest?
* Checking principal: on site inspection housekeeping practices and by equipments
to major indoor environment
What is the frequency of servicing and cleaning of the air filters in the
rooms and common areas (dust, microbes)?
Frequency
Score
quarterly
3
half yearly
2
yearly
1
> a year
0
*Checking principles: on site inspections of various filters, bill of cost for service
through maintenance department

1
1

0-7

0-3

Max
119

Total Score in Environment Conservation

=

51

Principle 3. Conservation/Nature Education

Q.
no.

Question

Yes
/no

Norm/
Standards

W.47

Criterion 3.1: Information and Communication

91.

Score

Indicator 3.1.1: Information and communication methods

Which or how many of the following information & communication ways
for good environment practices you have or provide to your guests?

0-5

a.

92.

93.
94.

95.
96.
97.
98.

99.
100.

Leaflets or other brochures to inform guests on environmental subjects and

domains (importance of saving water, energy, resources, noise ) and
lodges and resorts actions.
b. Leaflets or other brochures to inform guests on special environmental
conditions where the lodges and resorts is located.
c. Information signs for guest implication when needed (e.g. in the bathroom
for changing towels at demand or in the room for waste separation).
d. A gold book or opinion questionnaire for guests.
e. Briefing at guests arrival about importance environment
*Checking principles: availability of leaflets or information campaign.
Do you have a green website for your lodges and resorts?
*Checking principal: onsite inspection through their internet facility
Note: Green web site provides information about environmental or ecotourism spot
like wild life etc.
Do you keep Eco-magazine and/or Eco-news paper at lobby?
Do you educate ecotourist/guest about ecotourism spots and
destinations?
Indicator 3.1.2: Dos and donts
Do you educate local people, guest and staff about the importance of
wild life conservation?
Do you educate local people, guest and staff about the importance of
environment conservation?
Do you encourage staff, guest and local people to conserve energy?
Indicator 3.3.2: Educational programs
How many educational programs for local communities you have
organized in last 12 months?
0
1
2
3
4
5
No. of programs
0
1
2
3
4
5
Score
Do you donate old equipments to collage and schools for education
purpose?
Do you provide Special tour packages to students and teachers?

1
1

1
1
1
0-5

1
1
W.3

Criterion 3.2: Environmental policy and training policy

101.
102.
103.
104.
105.

Indicator 3.2.1: Environmental policy

Do you have environment policy?
Do you implement you environmental policy in your activities?
Indicator 3.2.2: Training programs
Do you provide environmental management trainings to the staff?

1
1
1

Do you have external training policy?

Does your staff participation in external environmental training
program?

1
1

52

106.
107.
108.

Do you implementation results of external trainings in your lodges and

resorts?
Do you organize training program for local?
Do you organize training program for guest?

1
1
1
W.23

Criterion 3.3: Quality of Staff

109.
110.
111.

Indicator 3.3.1: Environment Education

Does your manager possess environmental education?
Does your receptionist possess environmental education?
Indicator 3.3.2: Guides
How many guides do you have in your lodges and resorts?
Guide
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
Score
0
1
2
3
4
5
6

1
1
0-6

Max
34

Total Score in Conservation/Nature Education=

Principle 4. Ecological Orientation

Q.
no.

Question

Yes
/no

Norm/Standers

W.4

Criterion 4.1: Security

112.
113.
114.
115.

Indicator 4.1.1: Security practices

Do you provide security to guest from wildlife?
Do you provide security to wildlife from guest?
Do you aware guests about harmful species or places in the area?
Do you have insulated fire extinguishers in your lodges and resorts
building?
* Checking principle: On site inspection of fire extinguishers and verify that they are
being checked in every year by an authorized company

1
1
1
1

W.3

Criterion 4.2: Building

116.
117.

118.
119.
120.
121.
122.
123.
124.

Score

Indicator 4.2.1: Clean and good repaired surface

Do you always have all floor surfaces clean and maintained?
Do you use naturally scented, non-toxic, phosphate-free, biodegradable
cleaning products for housekeeping?
Indicator 4.2.2: Guest rooms
Are the all guest rooms having a minimum room size of 120 square feet?
Do you have used water glasses for windows in guest rooms?
Does all floors and walls have non-porous surface?
Indicator 4.2.4: Infrastructure
Did you design the lodges and resorts building as per green building
guidelines?
Do you have white and/or reflective roof?
Did you reuse existing building material for the construction of the
building?
Do you have adequate parking area?
*note: Parking area should be adequate in relation to the no. of rooms and
banquet/convention hall capacities.

1
1

1
1
1
1
1
1
1

53

Does your lodges and resorts have a Maximum height of 25 feet?

What is the % of build up area to non-build up area?
Ratio
Up to 20%
Up to 50%
Up to 80% > 80%
Score
4
3
2
1

1
1-4

127.

Do you have fencing for the building?

Ans
Yes
No
Score
0
1

128.

Have you planted non-build up area with tree, plants, grass etc?
Do you have painted your lodges and resorts with earthy colors?
Indicator 4.2.5: Community participation in building
Do you use locally manufactured carpets and other decoration products
for lodges and resorts decoration?
Did/ Do you use local labor for construction work?
Did/ Do you use local technology for construction activities?

1
1

125.
126.

129.
130.
131.
132.

1
1
1
W.3

Criterion 4.3: Location

133.

134.

135.
136.

Indicator 4.3.1: Site

What is the distance of your lodges and resorts from the following
destinations?
200
200 to 500
500meter
Destination
>1km
meter
meter
to 1 km
Ecotourism Spot / Gate
1
2
3
4
Village
4
3
2
1
Water Source
4
3
2
1
Local Market
4
3
2
1
Rail track
1
2
3
4
highway
1
2
3
4
Forest corridors
1
2
3
4
*Checking principles: on site inspection through lodges and resorts brochure from
reception
Is your lodges and resorts boundary come under forest fringe area?
*Checking principles: on site physical inspection and through lodges and resorts
brochure
Do you have surrounding wildlife view?
*Checking principles: on site physical inspection and can also a few guest
Do you have link to main road?
*Checking principles: on way physical inspection and through lodges and resorts
brochure

0-28

1
1

Max
55

Total Score in Ecological Orientation =

Final Score=

CP = Community Participation
EC = Environment Conservation
CE = Conservation/Nature Education
EO = Ecological Orientation

54

Appendix3:QuestionnaireforWeightedScore

Introduction: This survey aims at developing a weighted score system for eco rating system. There are
four sections for which various criterions are given in first four questions. The last question is the
cumulative ranking of the sections. Questions are developed to give ranking to each criterion and section.
The ranking is in decreasing order, for e.g. 1 means very high rank similarly 2 means high rank and so on.
Please indicate your ranks.
Please note that you will have to give different ranking to each criterion and section.
General Information:
Your Name

Your Organization

...

Your Designation

1. What should be the ranking of following criteria of Community Participation?

Criterion
1 2
Local Suppliers. It includes purchasing from local community
Various benefits to local communities. it includes economic
benefits and employment to local community
Food & Beverage. It includes local and seasonal dishes
Promotion to Local Culture. It includes local cultural activities
Hospitality services. It includes facilities and services to guest.

2. What should be the ranking of following criteria of Environment Conservation?

Criterion
1
Air. It includes transportation, HVAC system in building, tobacco
smoking, plantation, indoor air quality etc.
Water. It includes water quality & maintenance, conservation, rain
water, swimming pool, etc.
Energy. It includes HVAC control, conservation techniques,
energy auditing, renewable energy, energy efficiency, etc.
Sewage. It includes sewage treatment practices
Waste. It includes waste management, reduction, reuse & recycle
Noise. It includes indoor-outdoor environment, measurement and
maintenance practices.

55

3. What should be the ranking of following criteria of Conservation Education?

Criterion
1
Information and Communication. It includes information & communication
methods, conservation awareness & educational practices and dos and donts.
Environmental & training policy. It includes policies and their implementation.
Quality of Staff. It includes employees educations, guides etc

4. What should be the ranking of following criteria of Ecological Orientation?

Criterion
1
2
3
Security. It includes security practices for guest and wildlife
Building. It includes infrastructure, guest rooms, community participation,
maintenance etc.
Location. It includes distance from ecotourism spot, villages, water sources,
market, rail track & highway, forest corridors etc.
5. What should be the ranking of following principles based on the above criterions?
Section
Community Participation
Environmental Conservation
Conservation Education
Ecological Orientation

56

Appendix4:QuestionnaireforCollectionofBestEcoFriendlyPracticesin
LodgesandresortsIndustry

Introduction: This survey aims at finding best eco friendly practices in lodges and resorts industry.
General Information:
Your Name

Your Organization

...

Your Designation

1) Do you undertake any energy efficient measures? If yes, please specify.

2) What is the general method adopted for efficient water utilization? Please specify.

3) Do you recycle or reuse waste water? If yes please elaborate.

57

4)

What have you done for optimum power (electric) use? Please specify.

5) What are the waste management practices? Please specify.

6) What do you do for plastic and non-biodegradable waste recycling?

7) What are the different wastes produced other than kitchen wastes and how do you manage them?

58

8) Has there been any evidence of air pollution? Are there any isolated smoking zones and chimneys
in kitchens?

9) Do you use environment friendly food products and groceries? If yes, Please elaborate them.

10) Any system for training and community development?

11) Do you undergo programs for promotion of eco friendly behavior among communities?

59