Government constructions taking the ‘green’ blanket are by far the best precedent to the massive task of building a greener and better tomorrow for the country.

Recently, none other than the Rashtrapati Bhawan - the official residence of the President of India – became the first urban dwelling to receive an ISO certification (International Organisation for Standardisation) by UK's Bureau Veritas, following the introduction of solar power and waste management systems among other energy-efficiency measures under the project 'Roshini', which was inaugurated by ruling President Pratibha Patil in 2008.

This certification was one of the objectives of Project Roshini. The project is an initiative that aims at making the President's Estate a green and an environment-friendly habitat, wherein in practices like conservation and efficient use of resources are encouraged.

The Rashtrapati Bhawan achieved this end by adapting eco-friendly practices such as recycling of water, rain water harvesting, use of natural gas and biogas instead of LPG, zero waste management and making the estate a plastic-free zone.

Solid Waste Management

A new Waste Segregation and Recycling Programme - RRR (Recycle, Reuse and Reduce) has been introduced with the active support of the New Delhi Municipal Corporation (NDMC). Residents have been trained in segregating bio-degradable and non-biodegradable waste generated in each house and a system of door-to-door collection of this waste has been put in place.

A Self Help Group (SHG) of women has been trained in composting the biodegradable waste, which on an average is between 300 - 400 kgs per day. The organic manure generated is used in the President's Gardens. So far about 320 quintals of vermi-compost has been prepared by the SHG since October 2009.

Rain Water Harvesting

The focus is a concept of zero wastage of water. All waste water will be recycled and the rain water will be harvested in the President's Estate. 100 percent Rain Water Harvesting is adapted in Rashtrapati Bhavan in collaboration with the Central Ground Water Board (CGWB).

Environmental Protection

Increase in green cover, tree census, protection of flora and fauna and replacement of dry and dead trees are also carried out. More than 11,000 trees have been planted in the President's Estate, Rashtrapati Nilayam, Hyderabad and the Presidential Retreat at Shimla. The survival rate of these plantations is 90 percent. A Tree Census and report was taken up with the help of the Horticulture Wing of NDMC. A report on the Field Study of Peacocks has also been prepared under the aegis of the World Pheasant Association.

Nature Trail

A “Nature Trail”, spread over 75 acres has been developed with the help of the Department of Environment and Forests, Govt. of NCT of Delhi. This trail showcases the bio-diversity of the President's Estate. Since its inception, more than 3000 visitors, mainly from schools have come to the Trail which has 136 wild and cultivated plant species as well as 84 animal and 32 bird species.

Ban on Plastic

Usage of plastic products, specifically plastic bags, is discouraged in the President's Estate. Now under the Roshini Project, the use of more eco-friendly products is being promoted. Under this initiative, SHGs of women have been trained in making paper bags, which are being used in shops inside the Estate.

Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation

Solar photovoltaic panels have been installed in the new Auditorium, Health Centre and President's Secretariat Officers' Institute. In addition, 100 solar street lights have been installed in the Estate. Solar powered water heating devices are being installed in residences. As a result, in one year more than one lakh kilowatt hour of electricity consumption has been reduced, resulting in monetary savings of Rs. 6.50 lakh.

Houses are quipped with CFL lighting, besides solar lamps installed at 110 points within the campus. Electric cars and carts are used for running local errands within the campus. Even the auditorium is run on solar power though it does have a regular power source as back-up.

In addition, a 25 CUM Bio-gas plant has been installed in collaboration with the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy and the Khadi and Village Industries Corporation (KVIC) for the kitchen of the President's Body Guard (PBG) and the Army Guard Kitchen situated in the President's Estate. These kitchens' were previously using LPG cylinders for cooking purposes. The plant uses about 600 kgs of cattle dung per day and provides cooking fuel for about 70-80 persons in the PBG Mess.

More than 1000 houses in the Estate have been converted to PNG, supplied by Indraprastha Gas Limited (IGL). In addition, PNG is also being supplied to the President's main kitchen.
  
As per the statistics of the Rashtrapati Bhavan, during January-June 2009, 78.95 lakh units of electricity were consumed in the President's Estate. "Due to the energy efficient measures, the corresponding electricity consumption from Jan-June 2010 has come down to 64.03 lakh units, which is a reduction of 14.92 lakh units saving more than Rs 90 lakh," the statistics report said.

Source: presidentofindia.nic.in