Quality Practice Awarded to Chitvan, Kanha by TOFT

Travel Operators for Tigers (TOFT), a UK based Tiger and Environment conservation NGO, did a survey of all Lodges in 6 popular tourism tiger reserves of India. Our operations at Chitvan, Kanha has been awarded "QUALITY PRACTICE" by them for the year 2009-2010. Practices Under Guidelines (PUG Rating analysis)was done by TOFT of our operations at Chitvan, which is a measure to grade our operations, construction, ethics on our water, carbon, and environment footprint. Primarily they measure, resource productivity, waste reduction, and local community economy being supported by the Lodge. What makes us happy is that we have been recognised in the first year of operation, and this motivates us further to enhance our benchmarks in times to come.

Water Conservation in Chitvan, Kanha

In view of the serious water crisis looming over all of us, we at Chitvan, Kanha have got into saving each drop of water. There are a total of 21 bathrooms, in Chitvan. All the water from the shower and wash basins is being now used to irrigate the 650 saplings that we planted this year. We calculated, and it worked out that we are now able to recycle about 5500 gallons of water on a daily basis. Process is now on to see feasibility of introducing the drip Irrigation system, and treat the water to reuse fully.

Vermi-composting at Chitvan, Kanha

In effort to go completely green another step taken by Chitvan, Kanha, is Vermicomposting. It has helped reduce the waste flow to landfills. All vegetable and fruit peels, tea bags, grains, rinsed egg shells, leaves and grass clippings, basically all kitchen and garden waste, are dumped in a special corner which have earthworms to digest organic wastes and convert the same into high quality compost. This compost is being used by us in organic farming. It not only helps in our farms but Organic farming is also a big step to combat global warming, as this is living in a way that ensures Earth is a flourishing, healthy planet indefinitely. This means drastically reducing pollution and waste—and aiming to eliminate them—and cutting way down on our use of natural resources and greenhouse gas emissions.

Chitvan Initiatives for the local school

Chitvan came in the area in year 2007, only 2 students passed the 10th grade that year, we announced a personal scholarship, so in year 2008, 5 students passed 10th grade. We worked more closely with the kids and this year to our surprise 20 students cleared the 10th board exams. Ashwani our GM brought the group to Chitvan for orientation. He took them around and showed the medicinal plant nursery, explained the benefits. Then the moment of great pride was when the kids for the first time in their lives saw a Computer at Chitvan, Ashwani briefed them on its benefits. They looked glued on. And then started English speaking classes for them, which is a regular feature 3 times a week now at Chitvan which is taken by our naturalists. At the end they did plantation at Chitvan, and they were explained the benefits of tree plantation, consevation, and why tourists visit their area. All teachers and students were thrilled by this initiative. And we have now committed to ourselves that soon we want to see lot of sports in this school, and lot of development.

Tree plantation in Chitvan, Kanha

Much awaited monsoon arrived in Chitvan, Kanha on 27th June. The entire team got together and has already planted more than 500 saplings in the lodge, and another 1500 to follow in next few days. Idea is to turn the degraded part of the lodge back into the forest. Saplings planted are same as found in the adjoining forest. Our GM is talking with the neighbouring village to increase forest cover in the area.

Sunflowers in Chitvan

This is the time of the year when the Sun flowers are in full bloom at Chitvan, this crop is not done only for look purpose but with a specific purpose of extracting oil, refining it, and using in our organic cooking at Chitvan. Afterall Sun Flower oil is suppossed t be good for heart, low on cholestrol...correct!!

Combatting Global Warming at Chitvan, Kanha

At Chitvan we have started to implement steps to combat Global Warming. Study was done on where we were contributing to Global warming, and then scientific steps are being taken to fight the same.

Our biggest challenge was to increase the forest cover, which would hide our buildings, so that direct sun does not hit the building and through radiant heat gain increase the temperature which would then require usage of Air-Conditioning to make the accommodation comfortable. We are in the process of doing the following:

1. Planting about fast growing local 1000 saplings aroung the blocks
2. Change the roof top colour to white to reflect the sunlight
3. Change the colour of the walls to white which face south and which are exposed to sun for maximum time.
4. Installing ventilation based air circulation system in the rooms with exhausts in the bathrooms, and fresh air from outside also pumped in.
5. Usage of outdoor solar lights to reduce consumption of electricity.

Steps 2-4 will reduce the room temperatures by almost 8 degree celsius as tested by us.

More thoughts in pipe line to make Chitvan a complete 100% eco-friendly lodge.