Reducing vehicular pollution in the city of Mumbai

Air pollution is a critical problem of Mumbai. The ever-increasing density of vehicular traffic and poor enforcement of pollution emission laws for industries are severely affecting the health of citizens. Air pollution leads to respiratory problems creating loss of working days and a bad reputation for the city. As a direct result of air pollution and deteriorating air quality the influx of tourist in the city and business is bound to decrease.

The Orchid this year collaborated with C.L.E.A.N. - Air Island, Dignity Foundation and the Transport Commissionerate - Maharashtra for a campaign to catch motor vehicles not following the pollution control norms. The government had promised that if the fine collection increased substantially they would allocate a portion of the fine to pay an honouriam to senior citizens (the senior citizens would accompany the police to ensure that the fines were properly administered and collected) on a regular ongoing basis. We launched the programme from our hotel and provided the honouriam of 9 senior citizens for a month, so that they could accompany the police.

The result of this month long campaign was:

• 40 to 50 vehicles were caught violating on a daily basis and hence were fined.
• A fine of Rs. 1000 collected if the quality of emission was found above the permissible limit.
• On an average Rs 40,000/- as fines was collected from just 5 hours of daily checking In about 3 Petrol stations to begin with, more volunteers are stationed in order to help the vehicles check their emissions.
• Seeing the success of this campaign 12 Mobile Squads will be going into action shortly, a reassurance that the government is keeping its promise.
• Various newspapers have reported that there is now a predictable lowering of air through motor vehicles over the past one-month. Though this cannot be attributed directly to the volunteer's work certainly the fear of stricter checking has yielded results.
  

  P.E.A.S.

A Programme for Environmental Awareness & Action in Schools (P.E.A.S.) is conducted at Mahim Nature Park where nearly 1000 students from various schools participate. The Orchid supports them since the last 3 years by being guest speakers, sponsoring prizes, giving cloth bags, eco pens and pencils for all participating students.

BUSINESS ASSOCIATES

We have opened our doors and educated our Industry Colleagues. 25 hotels and over 36 Housekeepers have visited us from hotels in India. The Orchid has been visited by their Industry counterparts on various occasions.

To name a few of the other hotels that have visited us in large numbers are: The Taj The Oberoi Guestline Days Inn Retreat Resort Holiday Inn Fariyas The Leela Kempinski Hotel Atithi Hotel Transit Hotel Airlink Hotel Airport International Welcome Group

The Orchid has also been working closely with the Federation of Hotels & Restaurant Association of India as well as Hotel & Food Services Review and International Hotel and Restaurant Association on various occasions.

  Working with non-government organizations (NGO'S) -

There are many good Non-Government Organizations working towards improvement of the Environment. The Orchid recognizes this and helps them in 3 ways:

I. The orchid evergreen loyalty programme - eco points (Discussed under ENVIROGUESTS)

II. Interactive television

On the Environment page of the Interactive T.V. we have listed the names of the various NGO's with their telephone nos. The guest wishing to support their cause can call on the nos. given therein. This message is flashed right after the Welcome Letter of the General Manager, hence there is no way that the message can be missed.

III. Supporting non-government organisations, to lend a helping hand not only financially but also rendering assistance whenever required.

Given below is a brief description of the various NGO's we have worked with and the projects supported and sponsored by us, which is an ongoing activity at The Orchid. This is only an indicative list ,not an exhaustive one.

 1. Concern india foundation

Activities undertaken this finincial year

This was the first NGO we worked with and still continue our association with them.

We are working with them on two projects one is Vasundhara which aims at building consciousness among people about environmental degradation and its effects. The next one being the Slum Rehabilitation Programme. The Orchid in its endeavour to preserve the Environment is developing the slum situated near our Hotel. We are keenly interested in giving the slum dwellers a better and healthier environment to live in by hiring sweepers to keep the road clean, maintain and develop the road, beautify the area and most importantly educate and create eco consciousness amongst the dwellers including their children. We have approached our Municipal Corporation for help in obtaining the necessary information and their support in making this project a success. The project is being worked on in 4 phases.

Activities undertaken in the past

We celebrated our first World Environment Day 1998 with Concern India Foundation. We had a seminar organised on that day titled " Better Environment - Varied Efforts, One Goal" wherein we had invited speakers from various walks to address the august gathering. We also did a second event with them to celebrate World Environment day that year. Our environment message tapped the corridors of top fashion designers in the country. A grand exhibition cum sale of eco-friendly garments was held and the proceeds went to Concern India Foundation.

Our association with them began way back in 1998 and from then on we have supported them through the above mentioned programmes as well as financial help for their organisation by advertising in their annual brochure.

On a different occasion we have also extended complimentary stay for their Chief Guest for one of their programmes organised by them to raise funds.

We have also supported them by placing donation box in our Hotel as well as supporting their envelope scheme. These envelopes were placed in all guest rooms and the funds generated through this scheme is used by Concern India Foundation to support their projects based on Environment and support the underprivileged children.

  2. C.L.E.A.N. AIR ( A Citizen's Leadership in Environmental Action & Networking)

Activities undertaken this finincial year

C.L.E.A.N. Air a year old on 21st April, started its campaign against vehicular pollution by supporting the Transport Commissioner, Mr. V. M. Lal's "NO PUC, NO PETROL" Drive effective October 1999. This is now a law due to the unrelenting efforts of the Transport Commissioner. In December 1999 C.L.E.A.N. - Air organised a successful "Rally Against Pollution". This moved the issue into the public arena, receiving the unstinting support of several NGO's, Citizens groups and Schools. As a member appointed by the High Court onto a Nodal Committee, it has participated in making recommendations on 15 issues to curb vehicular pollution.

The Orchid's association with C.L.E.A.N.-Air (mentioned earlier) started this year on 5th June 2000, World Environment Day.

  3. Clean air island

Activities undertaken in the past continues to this year

Clean Air Island was set up to take on urban regeneration by monitoring pollution both of air and mind. The Orchid has sponsored 50 shows of their play called "Whose Mumbai is it anyway?" put together by "Clean Air Island". They perform these plays for Schools, Corporate companies, Restaurants, Stores etc. and help spread the message of environment through their play. This play can be viewed in the videocassette accompanying the award application. Attached are photographs of the play and a letter from Clean Air Island, a list of venues where the play has been performed and a few press clippings. Till date there have been 35 performances of this play which has been sponsored by The Orchid.

  4. Dignity foundation

Dignity Foundation is a dedicated organisation for the welfare of senior citizens providing support to them through community activities related to environment and other issues.

Activities undertaken this financial year

Once we came together this year for World Environment Day wherein we sponsored a month long project to reduce vehicular pollution with the help of 9 Dignitarians accompanying the Flying Squads accompanied by the mobile PUC vans and manning the PUC centers. The Orchid sponsored the honorarium for 9 Dignitarians for a period of one month, with the hope that the government will pay honorarium on a regular basis seeing the input, dedication and high ethical standards. (As mentioned earlier under C.L.E.A.N.- Air).

Activities undertaken in the past

We have developed a relationship with Dignity Foundation from the time we celebrated out first World Environment Day in 1998 . The president of Dignity Foundation Dr. (Mrs.)Sheilu Srinivasan was one of our eminent speakers at the seminar organised on that day titled "Better Environment - Varied Efforts, One Goal".

We have also lent support to them in their event regarding "Joint Action Program to Clean Versova".

  5. SARF (Smoke Affected Residents Forum)

Activities undertaken this finaancial year

SARF has to its credit a 1997 victory in the High Court on the deadly practice of burning waste in Deonar. The near asphyxiation of motorist driving from Chembur to Goregaon steered the focus to vehicular pollution. SARF initiated a Public Interest litigation in July 1999 against vehicular pollution, creating a much needed judicial forum for the problem and obtaining a landmark High Court Order last December for citizens of Mumbai.

The Orchid has been approached to support 2 of their projects. First being the Beautification of Deonar dumping ground. This dumping ground is spread out over 104 hectares. Part of the dumping ground will be utilised by recycling plants to recycle the garbage that is being dumped there and the rest of the area will be developed into gardens. Hence The Orchid is being approached to help develop a green lung for the city. The second proposal is to help them in their fight against vehicular pollution. A decision on this is awaited from our Board of Directors.

  6. Cancer patients aid association (CPAA)

Activities undertaken this financial year

This year on the occasion of World No Tobacco Day (31st May 2000) we worked with Cancer Patients Aid Association (CPAA) which held free Awareness and Early Detection camps for all Tobacco Habitues. These camps were held a week prior to 31st May 2000. They covered over 20 corporate houses covering more than 2000 people in a span of a week. On the actual day the camp was held at Hutatma Chowk (a prominent square in South Bombay) where they covered 800 people.

For this camp organised by CPAA, The Orchid sponsored 250 T-shirts for the Doctors and their team.

We even had an Awareness and Early Detection camp at our Hotel for our Team Members which was a great success. There were 204 Team members which came for the detection camp.

 7. Bombay first & clean mumbai foundation

Bombay First is an initiative of the Bombay Chamber of Commerce and Industry. It is aimed at making the city a better place to live in ad aims at making the clean Mumbai Campaign a success with the help of Clean Mumbai Foundation.

Activities undertaken in the past

Last year we participated in the seminar organised by BOMBAY FIRST on Reducing Vehicular Pollution in Greater Mumbai. We were initially invited by Bombay First as guest speakers for their workshop on "Citizens Initiatives in Waste Management" which was held on 17th December 1998.

  8. Bandra hindu association

Bandra hindu Association is a dedicated non-commercial, service-oriented organisation striving in the field of social, cultural, educational and environment. They have multiphased activities such as debates, lectures, competitions for children etc.

Activities undertaken in the past

Our association began last year when they organised a Environment Awareness Week with various competitions and awareness sessions lined up for children of various age groups. This was from 18th April 1999 to 25th April 1999. To coincide with the Earth Day, which falls on 22nd April 1999, we sponsored a poster and slogan-making competition for over 100 children from various schools participated. The Orchid sponsored the material required for the competition as well as 18 prizes in 7 different categories . All the participation were gliven a gree one-year subscription to CUB magazine (based on Environment and Wildlife) besides distributing free copies of the same to all the children participating in the competition.

Once again we worked with them on the Eco-Friendly Mela. The Orchid sponsored as well as was actively involved in organizing the Eco-friendly Mela of different environment friendly products available in the market for household and office use. This exhibition was organised in association with Bandra Hindu Association wherein over 20 suppliers had participated.

This Eco-friendly mela was a three-day exhibition, which was held from 21st to 23rd of December 1999. The exhibition was inaugurated by Mr. Vivek Pathiyan, General Manager The Orchid and attended on all three days by Ms. Harinakshi Desai environment officer and Green Team of The Orchid. It was also well attended by the other Heads of Departments of the Orchid.

The above-mentioned event has been conducted in association with OASIS another non-government organization mentioned below.

  9. OASIS (Organisation of aware Saviours in Society - a trust for Environment) AND BRAINCHILD

Oasis creates awareness amongst residents of western suburbs various issues related to Environment . Brainchild is an organization which creates Environment awareness through educational lessons for students

Activities undertaken this financial year OASIS has been selected by the Municipal Corporation to impart training regarding the perils of using plastic bags and its consequences, to the Teachers and Principals of all the Schools in Mumbai. We have been approached by them to sponsor their educational material required for these workshops. Right now the modalities for the same are being worked out.

Activities undertaken in the past

We invited them to participate in our World Environment Day celebrations in 1999. They drew our attention towards change at an individual level, highlighting the difference each one of us can make through a delightful story as well focusing on the urgent need to pay heed to our environment.

We have also sponsored T-shirts for the children who attend environment programmes that are organised by them.

  10. conservation trust & trailblazers

Activities undertaken this financial year

We worked with them this year to celebrate Earth Day wherein we organised a Principals Summit which was a unique meeting of minds. Over 40 Principals from school and colleges shared a common platform for the first time to discuss Environment Education through outbound programmes.

  11. World wildlife fund (WWF)

Activities undertaken in the past

The Orchid hosted their World Environment Day event in 1998 and also been contributing towards their programme by way of purchasing New Year cards designed and printed by them besides purchasing other WWF products.

This year once again our New Year Cards were made by them.

  12. Sanctuary and cub magazine

Activities undertaken in the past continues to this year

Sanctuary and Club Magazine which, is India's best special interest magazine on nature, wildlife and the environment of the Indian Subcontinent for a scientific and non-scientific audience Sanctuary is the voice of the conservation movement in India. The Orchid newsletters (specially created for our "Eco guests") are complied and published at Sanctuary. Last year the theme for our calendars was based on the 3R theory of Reduce, Reuse, Recycle which were again made by Sanctuary and printed on recycled paper. Our Eco guests are printed on recycled paper. Our Eco guests also receive a free one-year subscription to Sanctuary magazine as part of our Guests participation program.

  13. The bombay natural history society (BNHS)

The Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) was founded in 1883 for the purpose of exchanging notes and observations on natural history and exhibiting interesting specimens. Today it is the largest non-government organisations in the sub-continent in the conservation of nature and natural resources, education and research in natural history.

Activities undertaken this financial year

We have been approached by them to support three different long-term projects. One is a production of a Newsletters based of Environment, which will be printed and distributed to all schools, nature clubs and NGO's. This will also be the first step towards developing environmental corner in every school in Mumbai.

Second is a educational programme for school children involving nature trails, educational and environment based films, and third is a capacity building programme for teachers aimed to develop capacities of Teachers in Environment Education and motivate them to develop environmental awareness, positive attitudes and skills among the pupils. These are long term programmes, which The Orchid is planing to support.

Activities undertaken in the past

In 1998 our New Year cards were designed and printed by them. In 1999 the World Environment Day was celebrated in association with them, wherein we had Prashant Mahajan, Senior Education Officer of BNHS give a wonderful and enlightening talk on Bio-diversity.

And it doesn't end here. Efforts are on to work with many more such non-government organisations that have the drive to do something positive for the environment.

  Attending Seminars -

• The Orchid has shared its expertise in the form of various lectures, seminars and participating in workshops on 16 occasions.

• Seminar on green profitability for Hospitality Industry was organized by USERC (United States Environment Resource Centre) in association with HRA (Hotels Restaurant Association-Western Region) on 12th December 2000 wherein Mr. Param Kannampilly Director, The Orchid was the key speaker.

• The Orchid was invited by Green Globe to participate in the seminar on Sustainable Travel & Tourism, held during the World Travel Market in November 2000 at London. The Managing Director, Mr. Vithal Kamat & Director Mr. Param Kannampilly addressed the august gathering.
  
  

• Round table on benchmarking for hotel industry
  
  Development Alternatives, a Delhi based Research and consultancy organisation alongwith Tetra-tech and Battele and US-AID invited The Orchid to partake in a Briefing Meeting on Benchmarking and Rating for Indian Hotels at New Delhi on 19th August 2000.
  
  The primary focus of this was to enhance environmental performance and energy efficiency in hotels while reducing Green House Gas Emissions.
  
  The Orchid was represented by Mr. Param Kannampilly, Director of the Orchid.
  
  

• International conference on sustainable energy & environment 2000
  
  Global Challenges For Sustainable Energy in the New Millennium
  
  This seminar was organised by the International Institute for Sustainable Future and BSES (Bombay Suburban Electrical Supply) from 17th to19th August 2000.
  
  Mr. Param Kannampilly, Director The Orchid was invited to present a paper on Energy Conservation in the Hotel Industry.
  
  The International Delegates for this seminar stayed with us at The Orchid. As The Orchid always supports Environment based programmes we offered a special rate (nearly a 50% discount) to all delegates attending this seminar who were staying with us.
  
  We had Mr. Arthur Hodgson from the Ministry of Environment, Bermuda who stayed with us during the duration of the Seminar.
  
  

• Round table conference on clean technologies in hospitality industry
  
  The Orchid works very closely with the United States Environmental Resource Center (US-ERC) and United States -Asia Environmental Partnership (US-AEP) in various projects of theirs and viceversa. We are currently working with them on the project Clean Technologies in Hospitality Industry. USERC is having a 2-day workshop for the Hotel Industry in the month of October, focussing on cleaner technologies and energy conservation techniques. They would like The Orchid to conduct the same. Hence to develop a framework for the workshop a round table was held on 14th August 2000.

• Seminar on reducing vehicular pollution in greater Mumbai
  
  Bombay First organized a Seminar on Reducing Vehicular Pollution in Greater Mumbai. This seminar was organized in association with the Transport Committee of Bombay First and the C.L.E.A.N. -Air Coalition. The Orchid partook the seminar which was on August 11, 2000.

• EARA APPROVED ADVANCED EMS AUDITING COURSE
  
  The Environmental Auditor's Registration Association (EARA) - approved course was organised by the United States Environmental Resource Center (US-ERC) co-sponsored by United States -Asia Environmental Partnership (US-AEP) and conducted by the Ion Exchange.
  
  The course was led by Dr. Larry Taylor, President of The Creighton Group Inc., USA and a member of the Technical Committee (TC 207) for ISO 14000 series.
  
  It was a five day Course on successful completion of which one gets entitled to 5 points towards Registration as Environmental Auditor. Ms Harinakshi Desai, Environment Officer, The Orchid attended the course and successfully cleared the examination receiving a 80% score.
  
  

• Round table conference organised by hotelier and caterer for 5th june 2000 - world environment day On the occasion of World Environment Day this year, Hotelier and Caterer a leading newspaper of the Hospitality Industry organized a Round Table Conference wherein various Hotels participated. The issue, which was published for this occasion was totally dedicated to How Hotel Industry, can make a difference and lend a helping hand to protect and preserve the Environment.
  
  Mr. Param Kannampilly, Director and Ms. Harinakshi Desai Environment Officer The Orchid attended the same.
  
  For this special issue the Newspaper requested our Environment Officer to write an article for the same.
  
  

• ECO ALERT 2000
  
  This two day seminar was organised by the College of Home Science, Nirmala Niketan on the 13th and 14th of January 2000.
  
  The Orchid participated in the form of a panelist in one of the Panel Discussions held on the second day of the Seminar which was attended by Ms. Harinakshi Desai, Environment Officer The Orchid. The Orchid also sponsored a part of the seminar by way of monetary donation as well as sponsoring the prizes for their "Eco - thought" competition.
  
  

• Good earthkeeping seminar
  
  An international seminar for the hospitality industry aimed to create awareness about the benefits of Good Earthkeeping and develop an understanding of how to practice it so that one can maximize ones profits while being environment friendly.
  
  The Orchid was invited as one of the main speakers as well as to inaugurate the seminar. The Orchid also sponsored a CD-ROM of Internet resources on various environment sites. This tool was especially developed for this occasion and serves as a jump-start in taking individuals as well as organisations towards Good Earthkeeping.
  
  The Orchid was represented by Mr. Param Kannampilly, Director who inaugurated the seminar and was the speaker for the same alongwith Ms. Harinakshi Desai, Environment Officer supported by the Green Team of The Orchid.
  
  

• Quality improvement programme workshops organised by the institute of hotel management
  
  Mr. Param Kannampilly, Director The Orchid was invited by the Institute of Hotel Management, Bangalore to deliver a lecture at the Quality Improvement Programme organised by them. It was a 6 day workshop from November 15th to November 26th 1999 wherein
  
  Mr. K. P. Kannampilly delivered a talk on Environment Friendly Hotels
  
  

• Hotel & food services (H&FS) 1999
  
  At the Hotel & Food Service Hospitality (H&FS) awards which are held annually last year there were 3 nominees from The Orchid for Best General Manager, Chief Engineer and Executive Housekeeper out of which the award for the Best Executive Housekeeper was bagged by The Orchid.
  
  

• Environment workshop organised by federation of hotels & restaurant association of India (FHRAI) 1999
  
  A 2 day Environment Workshop was organized by the Federation of Hotel and Restaurant Associations of India (FHRAI) on 13th and 14th January 1999. The workshop was well attended by 35 delegates from over 20 hotels in Bombay.
  
  The Orchid was represented by Mr. Vivek Pathiyan, General Manager and Ms. Harinakshi Desai, Environment Officer.
  
  

• Federation of hotels & restaurant association of india (FHRAI) 1998
  
  The Orchid was invited by The Federation of Hotels & Restaurant Association of India (FHRAI) to be one of the panelist in the session "Go Green and Clean - It is Good for your Business" on 26th September 1998 in their 34th Annual Convention held at Jaipur. Mr. Param Kannampilly, Director of The Orchid spoke at the abovementioned convention.
  
  The lead speaker at the convention was Ms. Karen Fletcher, Director, International Hotels Environment Initiative (IHEI). The only other speaker was Ms. Jose Dominic, Managing Director, Casino Hotels, Cochin who was also the Chairman / Moderator of the session.
  
  

• ROTARY CLUBS
  
  are another target of our outreach programme. Members of the Rotary Clubs have been extremely responsive to environmental issues. As they come from different walks of life, they represent an excellent opportunity for us to take our message to the society at large. The Orchid has been invited to address over 6 Rotary Clubs in Mumbai.