Jaipur resort and spa, India
How this holiday makes a difference
Environment
The whole resort has been built using lime and stone, with very limited use of cement and steel. Local stones like Khora rubble, Natata rubble and Lime mortar were used. There was hardly any use of reinforced cement concrete, negligible use of cement, roofs were made out of stone, and traditional methods of waterproofing done (no chemicals). Basic sandstones in and around local areas used in flooring. Window frames also made out of sandstone.
We have a 250 year old well in the premises which has been restored and harvesting is being done through the same. Modern and traditional methods of rain harvesting systems have been implemented. Local drought resistant trees and flora has been used for landscaping. We have used little grass and lots of natural stone on our pathways etc. which was waste from the construction of the resort.
Air conditioning with 5 star ratings which help in energy saving have been installed.The refrigeration used is ‘R 410’ and the Air conditioning units are certified by RSHO to be environment friendly. The waste water is treated in our STP tank and used for irrigation purposes. All bulbs used in the Resort are CFL and with minimum wattage required. Public area lights are dimmed to 50% after midnight and to 25% once the guests are asleep.
We have an electricity cut out card in each villa and the electricity goes off automatically shortly after the guest leaves the villa. Extensive Rain water harvesting systems have been put in place. Guests are informed about the change of linen every 3 days. Laundry has been outsourced. Waste is separated in bins – waste food, glass, plastic and paper. A villager takes what he can re-cycle and the rest is dumped in the community garbage dump.
We have small water bodies and bird baths across the resort. Many birds can be seen here at sunrise and sunset. We are also looking at doing wormi-culture for our waste food. The guests have an opportunity to interact with the children at the local school and visit the homes of local villagers to interact and learn how they live. Guests will actively participate in village festivals and also get a chance to attend local ceremonies. The local priest is present at the Resort’s own temple to perform religious ceremonies daily, which the guests can participate in.
We have a herbal garden where guests can come and choose what they would like with their meal. Guests are given an information sheet in all villas and our staff makes them aware of all that we do towards the environment.
Community
The entire Resort has been built using the local villagers from within half a kilometre. They were trained and now have a new life ahead of them. Fourteen of them have been given employment in departments like Horticulture, Housekeeping and the Kitchen. The ‘Balika Scholarship’ (Balika means young girls) has been instituted where we undertake to pay for the schooling of a few underprivileged but deserving girls. This was started 6 months ago and we are supporting 2 children every year. It costs us Rs.6,000/ per child per year.
Guests are informed of this and their donations are also used for the school children. Talks are on with the local community to start a dispensary for the old, which will give free basic medical assistance to them. The local school has been adopted and steps are being taken to ensure that the children are made computer literate. We are beginning to work with the local farmers to help them grown organic vegetables, etc and then purchase the same from them for use at the Resort.
Vegetables, spices and other such items are bought from the local village shop. Villagers who were working as labourers and showed initiative and talent in old art forms like – ‘Thekri’, ‘Sanjhi’ were given the opportunity to engage with the resort. Their works are an integral part of the interiors designed. The villagers have been educated on the necessity of maintaining cleanliness and hygiene. Dustbins have been provided throughout the village to ensure that the waste is not dumped in the open. The Founder of the Resort is also starting to teach English to the local villagers.
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